Bhopal/Khandwa, October 3 (Udaipur Kiran News): The last rites of 11 people, including eight young girls, who lost their lives in a tragic accident during Durga idol immersion in Khandwa district on Thursday, were performed on Friday at Padalphata village. The entire village mourned the loss, with people from nearby areas also arriving to pay their respects.

The accident occurred in Pandhana police station area, when a tractor-trolley carrying devotees overturned in the backwater of a dam near Ardla village, leading to the drowning of 11 individuals aged between 9 and 25 years. The incident has cast a shadow of grief over Pandhana and the entire Khandwa district.

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced ₹4 lakh financial assistance for each of the victims’ families.

The bodies were brought from the Pandhana Community Health Centre to Padalphata by ambulance, where the funeral ceremonies were conducted amid a heavy security presence. Additional SP Mahendra Tarnekar and DSP Anil Singh Chauhan were present at the site to oversee arrangements.

Political leaders including MP Dnyaneshwar Patil, BJP district president Rajpalsingh Tomar, MLAs Chhaya More, Narayan Patel, and Kanchan Tanve, as well as Congress district president Uttampal Singh Purni, and Zila Panchayat member Manoj Bharadkar, visited the village to offer condolences and attend the cremations.

According to BJP district president Rajpalsingh Tomar, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav is expected to visit Padalphata by 5 PM to meet the bereaved families. Police and administration have begun preparations for his arrival.