Tractor-trolley with Durga idol plunges into pond in Madhya Pradesh, 11 dead

At least 11 people, most of them teenage girls, died after a tractor-trolley carrying devotees for Durga idol immersion overturned into a pond in Khandwa district’s Pandhana area on Thursday.

Officials said nearly 20–25 people from Ardla and Jamli villages were travelling in the trolley for immersion rituals when the accident occurred. The tractor was driven into deep water despite warnings from the local kotwar (village watchman). It lost balance and overturned, throwing the passengers into the pond.

Rescue teams recovered 10 bodies from the water, while the body of a missing girl was found during a late-night search, taking the toll to 11. Authorities said the tragedy was caused by “overconfidence” of devotees who ignored the kotwar’s warning.

Eyewitnesses said villagers immediately jumped in to rescue passengers, saving several lives. However, most of the victims were young girls aged 15–16 years. Several others sustained serious injuries and were admitted to Khandwa district hospital.

Superintendent of Police Manoj Rai confirmed the deaths.



Administrative officers also reached the spot to supervise rescue operations.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the incident. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said, “The accidents that occurred during the Durga immersion ceremony in Jamli village of Khandwa and the Ingoria police station area near Ujjain are extremely tragic. I express my condolences to the bereaved families. Instructions have been given to provide Rs 4 lakh each as compensation to the next of kin of the deceased, and to provide proper treatment to the injured at the nearest hospital. I pray to Goddess Durga for the speedy recovery of all the injured and for strength to the bereaved families.”

The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

In a separate incident in Ujjain district’s Ingoria police station area, two people died and four others were injured when a tractor-trolley carrying devotees overturned into the Chambal river during idol immersion on Thursday.