Flood in the river during idol immersion in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, 8 killed, many missing

A major accident took place in the Mal river of Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal on Wednesday night. People were immersing the idol of Durga Maa in the river when there was a sudden flood in the river, due to which 8 people have died so far. Along with this many people are missing. According to a senior official, hundreds of people had gathered on the banks of the Mal river for idol immersion at the time of the incident. Jalpaiguri District Magistrate Moumita Godara said that about 50 people have been rescued so far.
Superintendent of Police Devarshi Dutta said that "8 people have died due to floods during the immersion of the idol of Goddess Durga on Wednesday. Many people are reported to have lost their lives and many people are missing. NDRF, SDRF to rescue people. Teams of police and local administration are engaged."
Jalpaiguri District Magistrate Moumita Godara said that "many people have been washed away due to the sudden flood in the river. Around 50 people have been rescued so far. 13 people have minor injuries, and have been admitted to the hospital. So far the bodies of 8 people have been recovered.
Eyewitnesses told that a large number of people had come to immerse the idol of Maa Durga. While people were immersing the idol in the river, suddenly the river increased rapidly. According to eyewitnesses, the water rose so fast that there was no time to handle the people present in the river and everything was washed away within two minutes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the accident in Jalpaiguri district. Expressing grief from the official Twitter account of the Prime Minister's Office, it was written, "Saddened by the accident during Durga Puja festival in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones."