THIRTEEN women and girls have died after a slab covering an abandoned well collapsed while they sang and danced at a wedding.
Officials say the victims - seven women and six girls - were sitting on an iron slab which collapsed under their weight during marriage celebrations in northern India.
3
Thirteen women and girls died after an iron slab covering an abandoned well collapsed Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 3
They were sitting on the slab during marriage celebrations that collapsed under their weight
A 10-year-old girl and a one-year-old infant were among the dead.
Officials said 10 other villagers were injured after falling and were taken to hospital in the Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh state.
The well was more than 15 metres deep, said Muralidhar Singh, a rescuer.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident "heart-wrenching".
He tweeted: "I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in this. With this, I wish the injured a speedy recovery."
Most read in News
SHARK HORROR Brit, 35, mauled to death by 15ft great white as he trained for charity swim
ANDY FURY Prince Andrew 'shouldn't become ambassador against trafficking', slams charity
CHEQUE OUT Huge Covid change could cost you ￡500 from next week as PM axes all restrictions
'PATHETIC' UK's wokest pub slammed after ditching 'unethical' Heineken and Coca-Cola
Authorities are investigating the incident and the local administration is also involved.
The district magistrate said compensation of ？ 4 lakh (￡3,916.07) would be paid to the family of each person killed in the incident.
3
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident "heart-wrenching" Credit: AFP