Khandwa (Madhya Pradesh): Eight people drowned while cleaning a well for Gangaur immersion in Kondawat village situated some 30 km from Khandwa on Thursday evening, officials said.
Khandwa collector Rishav Gupta said that all eight bodies have been brought out after a four-hour operation involving around 100 people, including a 15-member SDERF team and locals.
Eyewitnesses said that the men descended into the well at around 3 pm but at around 5 pm when they failed to get out or respond to calls, the villagers became alarmed and informed local police.
Villagers started the initial rescue operation, and soon a local police team led by SP Manoj Rai reached the spot. Cranes were pressed into service and two ambulances were on standby.
Pandhana MLA Chhaya More also reached the village. Sources said it is possible that poisonous gas trapped in the mud and garbage in the well might have suffocated them and then they drowned in the water. The entire sewage water of the village is dumped into the well.
However, there was no official confirmation of the cause of death till the filing of the report. The victims have been identified as Rakesh, Vasudev, Arjun, Gajanand, Mohan, Ajay, Sharan and Anil.
