New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his anguish over the mishap in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district where eight people drowned during Durga idol immersion on Wednesday night.

“Anguished by the mishap during Durga Puja festivities in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones: PM Narendra Modi,” Prime Minister’s Office tweeted.

Anguished by the mishap during Durga Puja festivities in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 5, 2022

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The PM announced Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.

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“Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of the deceased in the tragic mishap during Durga Puja festivities in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM Narendra Modi,” the tweet added.

Senior officials said that at least eight people drowned and several others went missing after they were swept away in the Mal river due to flash floods during idol immersion on Vijayadashami in Jalpaiguri.

The incident took place around 8.30 pm on Wednesday.

All of a sudden, flash floods struck and people were swept away. So far, eight bodies have been recovered and we have rescued around 50 people,” Jalpaiguri District Magistrate Moumita Godara told news agency PTI.

She said 13 people, who received minor injuries, were admitted to a nearby hospital.

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“Saddening news coming from Jalpaiguri as flash flood in Mal river during Durga Puja immersion swept away many people. Few deaths have been reported till now. I request the DM of Jalpaiguri & @chief_west to urgently step up rescue efforts & provide assistance to those in distress,” Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari wrote on his social media.

Saddening news coming from Jalpaiguri as flash flood in Mal river during Durga Puja immersion swept away many people. Few deaths have been reported till now.
I request the DM of Jalpaiguri & @chief_west to urgently step up rescue efforts & provide assistance to those in distress. pic.twitter.com/4dZdm2WlLO

— Suvendu Adhikari (Modi Ka Parivar) (@SuvenduWB) October 5, 2022

Officials suggested that a large number of people had gathered on the banks of the Mal river to participate in the immersion ceremony.

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