LUCKNOW, India, March 31 (Reuters) – At least 35 people were killed and 16 were injured after the roof of a stepwell collapsed in central India, a local government official said on Friday.

The incident occurred as devotees gathered at a temple in Indore to celebrate the Hindu festival of Ram Navami on Thursday, officials said.

“We have rescued 18 people, 35 have been found dead and 16 are injured,” Ilayaraja T, a top local government official, told Reuters.

At least 75 army and rescue personnel worked through the day to remove debris, using ropes and ladders to pull out people who
had fallen into the well, local media reported.