13 women die after falling into well during wedding celebrations

Kushinagar: A wedding ceremony turned into a tragedy when 13 women including young girls died after accidentally falling into a well during a wedding ceremony in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar district last night.

Police said the victims were sitting on a metal slab covering the well when it collapsed under their weight. 

According to officials, all females were sitting on an iron net of the well while performing a marriage ritual and due to heavy load the net broke and those sitting on top of it fell into the well. 

When the slab broke, other guests ran to rescue the victims and took them to a nearby hospital. 

The tragedy took place on Wednesday evening during the traditional "haldi" ceremony.

Reportedly, eleven people died on the spot while, two others scrummed to their injuries during treatment. At least 10 people were also injured in the incident.

The victims have been identified as—Pooja (19), Shashi Kala (15), Shakuntala (35), Mamta Devi (35), Meera (25), Pooja (20), Pari (1), Jyoti (15), Radhika (16), Sundari (15), Aarti (10), Pappi (20) and Manu (18).  

The bodies have been sent for post-mortem and the case is being investigated, Rajalingam said.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the deaths "heart-wrenching". 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked district authorities to assist the families of the victims.

Further probe into the matter is currently underway.