20 People Killed During Ganesh Idol Immersions In Maharashtra

MUMBAI: Separate incidents which occurred during the immersion of Ganesh idols in several parts of Maharashtra led to the death of as many as 20 people, informed police on Saturday.

The 10-day Ganesh festival, which had started on August 31, ended on Friday.

Out of the 20 persons reported killed, as many as 14 of them are said to have died due to drowning during immersion of the idols, said reports.

Official sources informed that three persons were reportedly drowned at Sawangi and one at Devli in Wardha district.

According to reports, two persons who went for immersion of idols drowned in a pond in Yavatmal district.

Sources also added that two persons in separate incidents at Supa and Belvandi died of drowning while two others suffered the same fate in Jalgaon district.

Meanwhile, in Pune's rural areas, one person each died at Dhule, Satara, and Solapur city, the source further added.

On the other hand, four persons died in a road accident while proceeding for Ganesh immersion, in Sakkardara area of Nagpur.

In another freak accident, a 55-year-old woman was killed and four others sustained injuries after a tree collapsed on a Ganesh pandal amid heavy rains at Kolbad area in Thane district of Maharashtra.

"A huge tree fell on the pandal while the 'aarti' of Lord Ganesh idol was on as part ahead of its immersion. The woman, Rajashri Walavalkar, was seriously injured in the mishap. She and other injured were rushed to a hospital, where she was declared brought dead," the official said.

Meanwhile, at least 11 persons, including a nine-month-old child, were injured after suffering an electric shock at Panvel in Raigad district during a procession. The incident took place on Friday evening at Wadghar Koliwada after a cable of an electric generator snapped, an official said.

"At least 11 persons, who were part of the procession, came in contact with the cable and sustained injuries. The injured include four children," he said.

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