5 killed after soil collapses during well construction in Madhya Pradesh's Panna

BHOPAL: At least five people died and two others were rescued after soil collapsed during the construction of a gram panchayat well in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district, officials said on Tuesday.The incident occurred during the construction of a well in Nayapurwa village under the Ajaygarh Development Block, officials added.Rescue operations were launched immediately after the collapse, and two individuals were pulled out from the debris.Panna superintendent of police Nivedita Naidu said the labourers were working at the site of a public irrigation well being constructed under the MNREGA scheme when the soil caved in on them.The deceased were identified as Ashish Yadav, Rajkumar Yadav, Rampal Yadav, Chunnu Yadav and Chunvad Pal.An official said the bodies were recovered from the debris and sent for post-mortem examination.Following the incident, district collector Usha Parmar reached the spot to review the rescue operation. She also met the families of the victims and assured them of all possible assistance from the administration, the official added.(With agency inputs)