Vidisha, MP: At least 24 people fell into an old and approximately 30-ft-deep well late Thursday in Lal Pathaar area on the outskirts of Ganj Basoda but by 2200 hrs more than a dozen were rescued and rushed to an infirmary in the town.

Unconfirmed sources gave the number as about 40.

Quoting preliminary reports, law-enforcement authorities said that – after teenager Sandeep Parihar fell in while drawing water – villagers gathered for bringing him out and a cement roof partially covering the underground structure collapsed causing the disaster. The water level is roughly 20 ft. Darkness was impeding a rescue and relief operation. Lighting, an excavator, etc have been arranged. The Fire Brigade is draining the well.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan – who was busy here in connection with the marriage of his three foster daughters Radha, Preeti and Suman – was galvanised into action.

“In compliance with my directive, the Collector (Mr Pankaj Jain) and the Superintendent of Police (Mr Vinayak Verma) reached the spot. I have spoken with the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police and the DG, State Disaster Response Force. The Divisional Commissioner and the Inspector General are also on alert. A National Disaster Response Force team has been dispatched. District In-charge Minister Vishvas Sarang was told to rush to the scene,” the veteran leader told members of the Fourth Estate.