New Delhi (CNN) – Authorities in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday said at least 13 people, including a one-year-old boy, had fallen into a well during a wedding ceremony in northern India.
The victims, all of them women and children, were sitting on the slab covering the well when it collapsed out of the way, police in Kushinagar state district said.
Another person was injured in the incident, police said.
“It was an unfortunate incident during the wedding,” said Kushinagar senior police officer Sachindra Patel, who is investigating the case.
The victims were not immediately identified by police.
Wedding guests attended the “Haldi” ceremony, which in a Hindu tradition is painted yellow on the face of the bride and groom for good luck.
In a post on Twitter on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the deaths were “heartbreaking”.
I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, “he said.” I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.
According to CNN affiliate News-18, Modi announced $ 2,662 for each family of victims and $ 665 for those injured.
According to News-18, Kushnikar district authorities announced an additional $ 5,323 for each family affected.
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