After the roof of a stepwell collapsed and plunging scores of people hundreds of feet into the well, at least 35 people died.

Last night, the army was called in to assist with rescue operations that had been ongoing for more than 18 hours.

It took place at Indore’s Baleshwar Mahadev Temple, Madhya Pradesh.

Ram Navami is a day of auspiciousness in Hinduism that celebrates Lord Rama’s birth.

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Dr Ilayaraja was the Indore District Collector. He said that 35 people had died, one person is missing, and 14 people were rescued. After receiving treatment, two people were able to return home safely. “The search operation to locate missing persons is ongoing.”

On the concrete slab that covered the stepwell, devotees were performing a Havan (fire ritual) It was unable to support the weight of all those who were on it, and eventually gave way.

Mahesh Chandra Jain of the state Disaster Emergency and Response Force said that the army had joined the rescue effort late on Thursday.

“Seventy-eight army soldiers began the rescue and recovered at most 16 bodies that were buried beneath the debris of the roof in a stepwell.”

Locals, police, and the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) have all been involved in rescue operations. The authorities were unable to reach certain areas of the well and requested military assistance.

Mr Jain stated that water was constantly coming out of the stepwell, making it difficult for rescue operations.

In a tweet, Prime Minister NarendraModi stated: “Extremely hurt by the mishap at Indore.

“Spoke with Chief Minister Shivraj Sing Chouhan to get an update on the situation. The State Government is quickly coordinating rescue and relief efforts. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of all those who have been affected.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan ordered a magisterial investigation into the incident. “I have given directions to investigate the incident. The government is standing with all the families affected by this tragic incident. We could not save them.

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Laxminarayan Sharma (temple head priest), was rescued and stated that the fire ritual was performed on the stepwell platform because of construction in the temple.

He said that the roof was built without concrete and supported by concrete slabs and concrete fitting iron rods.

Many people, including children and women, were seen trapped in the iron rod and concrete debris mesh.

According to reports, residents in the vicinity had previously complained about the safety of this temple to the municipal corporation.

Families of the victims have demanded that action be taken against the temple trust.