NEW DELHI: The death toll after a floor collapsed at a Hindu temple in India rose to 36 on Friday after rescuers discovered the body of the last person still missing, according to police.

Worshippers in Indore celebrating a major religious holiday plunged into the stepwell — a stair-lined communal water source — on Thursday after the floor covering it collapsed.

“Seventeen people were rescued yesterday. Thirty-six bodies have been recovered,” senior police officer Manish Kapooria said.

Women, children and an 18-month-old baby were among those standing on the grill covering the well when it buckled and gave way, plunging them into 7.5 metres of water.

The bodies of dozens of victims were cremated on Friday on pyres near the scene of the accident after brief funeral rites.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “extremely pained” by news of the accident.

“My prayers with all those affected and their families,” he added.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2023