Khandwa accident – tractor put in neutral on slope, overturned:One tractor got puncture, so another was called; backwater chosen for immersion

11 people died in an accident that occurred during Durga idol immersion at the backwaters of Ardala Dam on Thursday. Around 30 people, including children, were traveling on a tractor-trolley carrying the idol when it overturned. Accident details The incident happened when the tractor, carrying devotees to a backwater location for immersion, lost control. According to eyewitnesses, the driver had put the tractor in neutral while going down a slope. Once the slope ended, the trolley toppled into the water along with the tractor. Local villagers quickly gathered at the site. Young swimmers managed to rescue 12–15 people, while others were trapped under the trolley. Approximately 90 minutes later, authorities arrived and, with the help of a crane, pulled the tractor-trolley out of the water. Divers then recovered 10 bodies and rescued three critically injured individuals. The last body recovered was a 7-year-old girl, trapped under a culvert in the backwater. Among the deceased were eight young girls. The three injured are receiving treatment at Khandwa District Hospital. Prime Minister and CM Announce compensation Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the incident and announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for the injured. Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav had announced Rs 4 lakh for the bereaved families. The administration has collected bank account details and documents of the victims’ families. Padhana SDM Diksha Bhagore confirmed that the CM’s announced compensation has been approved. Late at night, authorities sent food packets and wood for funeral pyres to the village. Sequence of events leading to the accident All victims were residents of Padlafata village. The accident occurred near Jamalikhurd village, about 8 km from the victims’ village. During the morning of the Durga immersion, villagers performed rituals, a havan, and a procession in the village, with children and women participating in dancing and singing. The group then headed toward Ardala Dam for immersion. On the way, one tractor got a puncture near Kakoda village, prompting them to call another tractor. Upon reaching the dam, they found the main dam slope too deep for safe immersion and chose a backwater spot instead. At Jamali Khurd, the driver took the tractor toward the backwater, encountering a 50-meter slope. Witnesses said the driver put the tractor in neutral while going down. However, as the slope ended, water covered a culvert, and the trolley went out of control, overturning into the backwater with 30 people on board. Some managed to swim out, while others were trapped under the trolley. Victims Among the deceased were two pairs of sisters and their maternal aunt, highlighting the familial tragedy. Urmila and Kiran, two sisters, and their aunt Patlibai were among the dead, while another pair of sisters, Aarti and Sharmila, also perished.