West Bengal: 8 dead, several missing in flash flood in Jalpaiguri during Durga idol immersion; PM Modi expresses anguish

At least seven people lost their lives in a flash flood in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri during Durga idol immersion on Wednesday night.
Jalpaiguri Tragedy

At least seven people lost their lives in a flash flood in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri during Durga idol immersion on October 5, 2022. (Photo: Twitter/ANI/screengrab)

Kolkata: In a tragic incident, at least eight people died in a flash flood in Mal river in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri during the immersion of Goddess Durga's idol on Wednesday night. The death toll could rise as several people are still missing. The incident took place at Mal Bazar.
The deceased persons included an eight-year-old boy and a girl, aged 13.
After the incident, the idol immersion was stopped immediately. Around 40 people were rescued by the administration. Local authorities are also involved in the rescue operation. The crowd was gathered for the idol immersion at the Mal river bank on the occasion of Bijoy Dashami.
"Several people assembled at the Mal river bank at 9 p.m. when the flash flood swept several people. The administration immediately stopped the immersion of idols there. By late Wednesday evening seven bodies had been recovered. Nearly 40 persons have been rescued who were swept by the flash flood and got stuck on a local island," reported IANS quoting Jalpaiguri District Magistrate Moumita Godara Basu as saying.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the incident. PM Modi said, "Anguished by the mishap during Durga Puja festivities in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones."
The rescue operation is still underway to locate the missing people.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari expressed condolences to the aggrieved families and appealed to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to step up the rescue efforts.
"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," Adhikari tweeted.
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