Indore/Khandwa, 2 Oct

At least 10 devotees, three of them minors, died after a tractor-trolley carrying idols of Goddess Durga for immersion on Vijayadashmi plunged into a lake in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, police said.

Three injured persons were rescued and admitted to hospital, a district health official said, adding nearly 30 devotees were on board the ill-fated tractor-trolley.

The tragedy took place in the Pandhana area when devotees were riding on the tractor which was carrying Goddess Durga idols from various villages for immersion, Inspector General of Police (Indore rural range) Anurag told PTI.

So far, 10 bodies, three of them of minors, have been retrieved with the help of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and local divers, he said, adding a search and rescue operation was going on at the site.

An additional SDRF team has been sent to the spot, the IPS officer informed.

"We have learnt that five to six devotees have survived," the IG said, adding a probe was launched into the accident.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the tragedy and announced on social media platform 'X' that the state government will pay a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased.

Meanwhile, Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr OP Jugtawat said three injured persons were rescued and admitted to the Khanda district hospital.

He said about 30 devotees of varying ages were on board the tractor-trolley at the time of the accident.

Eyewitnesses said panic ensued immediately after the vehicle fell into the lake with people frantically searching for their relatives. A large crowd of villagers gathered at the site and assisted in the rescue operation.