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Tragedy in UP: 13 die after falling into well during marriage ritual

Accident happened during the pre-wedding ritual of ‘haldi’

People at a hospital where victims of Kushinagar tragedy were moved to | Twitter handle of ANI

In a tragic accident, 13 people died after they fell into a well during celebrations at a marriage function in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar district on Wednesday night.

At least 10 people have been injured in the accident.

The accident happened as the pre-wedding ritual of ‘haldi’ was being performed at Naurangiya Tola village. Some women and girls were sitting on an iron net and it suddenly broke and fell into the well, District Magistrate S. Rajalingam said. Video footage of the accident showed people in festive dresses mourning loved ones.

The district magistrate announced Rs 4 lakh each would be given as compensation to kin of the victims.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted the accident was “heart wrenching”. Modi announced Rs 2 lakh would be given as ex gratia to kin of the victims, while Rs 50,000 would be given to people injured in the accident. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath tweeted he had directed officials to expedite rescue operations and provide treatment to the injured.