A tragedy occurred in Indore, India, when a stepwell collapsed at a temple, resulting in at least 35 deaths and 14 people rescued as of 15 January 2021. The incident has caused immense grief and loss to families who have lost loved ones, like one man who lost his wife and mother. The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 5 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives.
Rescue operations are currently underway, and efforts are being made to rescue any survivors and recover the bodies of those who perished. The stepwell, located inside the temple, was typically used for water storage and as a means of accessing a lower level of the temple. The cause of the incident is yet to be determined, and investigations are being carried out by officials to determine what led to the collapse of the stepwell.
The tragedy has raised concerns about the safety of such structures and the need for their proper maintenance to avoid similar incidents. However, it is not the first time that such structures have collapsed in India, with many such incidents being attributed to poor construction practices and a lack of maintenance.
The government and local authorities have a responsibility to ensure such incidents are prevented in the future through proper regulations, inspections, and maintenance. People who visit such religious sites must also exercise caution and avoid overcrowding areas that could be structurally weak.
This incident highlights the need for more attention to be paid to the safety of religious and heritage sites in India, and steps should be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. Efforts should be made to properly maintain such structures and ensure that they are up to safety standards to protect the lives of those who visit and work in these areas.
