NEW DELHI, India (CNN) At least 35 people were killed Thursday after falling into a stepwell at a Hindu temple in central India after its pavement collapsed, according to local officials.
The incident happened at the Shri Beleshwar Mahadev Jhulelal Temple in the city of Indore in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The stepwell’s cover collapsed “due to the heavy load” at the top, said the state’s chief minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra initially said on Thursday that 19 people had been rescued from the stepwell, although two later died. Water was pumped out of the stepwell to aid rescue efforts, he added. Stepwells are large fountains or reservoirs with steps descending to the water level.
Later that evening, senior district official Ilayaraja T told reporters that 35 bodies had been recovered, with one person still missing and 16 injured.
“There’s a lot of silt. Once we’ve completed the desludging, we’ll conduct another round of searches,” he said. The Bundeswehr and civil protection forces from the federal and state governments are involved in the rescue.
“Despite our best efforts, we have not been able to save many lives,” Chouhan said, adding that he had ordered an investigation into the incident.
Videos and images of the rescue operation show a large, gaping hole in the ground beneath the temple, with people climbing a ladder to the surface and authorities pulling ropes down. A metal wire structure hangs from the edge and appears to have given way; Outside, anxious crowds gathered outside the temple while authorities carried the injured on stretchers.
A victim is taken to an ambulance in Indore, India on March 30.
Thursday was Rama Navami, a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ram, often observed by devotees visiting temples and performing religious chants or songs.
Photos from Indore Temple show items scattered on the ground near the hole, including candles, offerings and sweets.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims and their families on Thursday, tweeting that he was “deeply distressed” by the incident. “The state government is leading the rescue and relief work at a fast pace,” he said.
The injured and families of the dead will be compensated by the government, Chouhan said.
CNN’s Rhea Mogul contributed coverage.