At least 13 people, including a police sub-inspector, were killed and 26 others injured in separate incidents during Ganesh idol immersion programmes across Telangana, police said.
Telangana DGP C.V. Anand confirmed the death toll following widespread immersion activities across the state. According to the DGP, around 1.24 lakh Ganesh idols were officially installed across Telangana. Including idols worshipped in homes, communities and apartment complexes, the number is estimated to be around four lakh.
Despite extensive security and crowd-control arrangements by the police, several accidents were reported at different locations during the immersion processions.
Six Students Drown in Lake
In one of the major incidents, six students drowned while participating in a Ganesh idol immersion at a lake in Peddakanjerla village in Sangareddy district.
The deceased students were reportedly associated with the Shirisha Charitable Trust. Their bodies were subsequently recovered from the lake.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed grief over the incident and conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased.
Police Sub-Inspector Dies in Road Accident
A police sub-inspector also died in a road accident while returning after completing Ganesh immersion duty.
In another incident, a youth fell into a river from the Fatehpur Musi flyover in Shankarpally mandal while participating in a Ganesh immersion programme. He was later rescued safely.
Four Killed in Madhya Pradesh
Meanwhile, a separate tragedy was reported from Madhya Pradesh during Ganesh festivities.
Around 5 am, an electric wire reportedly snapped and fell onto the stage of a Ganesh festival pandal. Four people died after coming in contact with the live wire, while three others sustained serious injuries.
The incidents have cast a shadow over Ganesh immersion celebrations, with authorities continuing to monitor safety arrangements at immersion points and along procession routes.