**Tragic Incident in Khandwa: Eleven Dead as Tractor-Trolley Plunges into River During Idol Immersion**
Khandwa (Madhya Pradesh): At least eleven people, including men, women, and children, drowned when a tractor-trolley carrying devotees for idol immersion plunged into a river while crossing a culvert in Jamli village under Pandhana police station area on Thursday.
Three injured victims were referred to Khandwa District Hospital for treatment. The information was confirmed by Khandwa Superintendent of Police Manoj Rai.
All the bodies were retrieved with the assistance of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local divers. The deceased were taken to Pandhana Community Health Centre. Post-mortem examinations are expected to be carried out on a priority basis to facilitate handing over the bodies to the families for last rites.
The search operation for missing persons concluded with the recovery of a minor’s body, bringing the total death toll to eleven. An additional SDRF team has been dispatched to the site.
“We have learnt that five to six devotees survived,” an official said. According to reports, 20 to 25 people from Jamli and Ardla villages were aboard the trolley, which was overcrowded at the time of the accident.
**Chief Minister Announces Rs 4 Lakh Ex-Gratia for Families**
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who was in Delhi when informed about the tragic incident, announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of every deceased. He also directed the district administration to ensure proper medical treatment for the survivors.
Further updates will be shared as more information becomes available. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/khandwa-durga-visarjan-tragedy-11-dead-after-tractor-carrying-goddess-durga-idols-for-immersion-plunges-into-lake-on-dussehra
