Daijiworld Media Network – Solapur

Solapur, Jun 15: Eight devotees lost their lives after a pickup vehicle plunged into a water-filled well in Maharashtra's Solapur district, police said on Sunday.

The accident occurred at Tandalwadi village in Malshiras taluk when the vehicle carrying devotees fell into a roadside well located on a private farm. The well was reportedly filled to the brim with water, and the victims are believed to have drowned after water entered their airways.

According to officials, all eight deceased were residents of Ranjani village in Pandharpur taluk. They were returning home after visiting the Siddhanath temple in Mhaswad when the accident took place.

Seven other occupants of the vehicle were rescued and admitted to hospital for treatment. Their condition is being monitored, officials said.

Expressing grief over the tragedy, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of those killed in the accident.

In a post on social media, Fadnavis described the incident as “extremely unfortunate and tragic” and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

He said district authorities, including the District Collector and Superintendent of Police, had rushed to the accident site and were closely coordinating rescue and relief efforts.

“The state government will provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased victim,” the Chief Minister said.

The district administration has launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident. Rescue and recovery operations were carried out with the help of local residents and emergency personnel.