New Delhi: At least 14 people were killed after a pickup vehicle carrying devotees plunged into a well in Maharashtra’s Pandharpur on Sunday, officials said.
According to preliminary information, the vehicle was transporting a group of pilgrims when the driver allegedly lost control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and crash into a nearby well. Several passengers were trapped inside as the vehicle sank into the water.
Local residents, police personnel and rescue teams rushed to the spot soon after the accident and launched a massive rescue operation. Authorities recovered multiple bodies from the well, while several injured passengers were pulled out and shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Officials said rescue operations continued for several hours as emergency responders worked to ensure that no passengers remained trapped inside the submerged vehicle. The identities of the deceased are yet to be officially confirmed, and efforts are underway to inform their families.
Senior district administration and police officials visited the accident site to oversee rescue efforts and assess the circumstances that led to the tragedy. A detailed investigation has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Pandharpur, located in Solapur district, is one of Maharashtra’s most prominent pilgrimage centres and attracts lakhs of devotees every year, especially during religious festivals and temple visits dedicated to Lord Vitthal.
The incident has cast a shadow over the pilgrimage town, with political leaders and local authorities expressing grief over the loss of lives. Messages of condolence poured in as rescue teams continued their work at the site.
Officials said further details regarding the victims and the circumstances surrounding the accident would be released after the completion of the rescue and investigation processes.
