Tractor-trolley capsizes into pond in Khandwa, 13 dead:8 young girls among deceased; CM Yadav announces ₹4 lakh compensation for victims’ families

A tractor-trolley carrying devotees for Durga idol immersion overturned into a pond in Khandwa on Thursday evening. The incident claimed the lives of 13 people, including 8 young girls, while three others are reported to be in critical condition. Authorities say around 20-25 people were onboard at the time. Incident details According to police, the accident took place near Ardala village, Pandhana, around 4 PM. The tractor-trolley, parked on a makeshift bridge for the immersion, slipped into the pond, plunging everyone onboard into the water. Witnesses said 10-15 locals immediately jumped into the pond in an attempt to rescue the victims. Rescue operations were initiated using JCB machines. By 8 PM, 13 bodies had been recovered, and search operations are ongoing for any remaining missing persons. Witness Pradeep Jagdhane stated that the pond was around 50 feet deep at the site of the accident. He added that he and other locals rescued 9 people and took them to Pandhana Hospital, where doctors confirmed 3 were still alive. The critically injured were then shifted to Khandwa District Hospital for further treatment. Victims identified The deceased have been identified as: Visuals from spot Victims and rescue efforts Ten ambulances were deployed at the site to transport the victims to Pandhana Hospital. District Collector Rishabh Gupta and Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Rai were present at the scene overseeing rescue operations. Three children who survived were shifted to Khandwa Hospital for treatment. Visuals from hospital Authorities confirmed that among the deceased, eight were young girls. The injured are being treated at the district hospital.