West Bengal tourist falls into 70ft deep well inside Puri Jagannath temple in Odisha; rescued

Puri: A tourist from West Bengal fell today into a well located on the north side of Ananda Bazaar near North Gate (Uttar Dwar) of Srimandir in Puri. However, he has been safely rescued after nearly an hour’s operation carried out inside the shrine by local fire services personnel.

The devotee was identified as 65-year-old Dhruva Chakraborty from the neighbouring state.

According to a source, Dhruva was standing near the well and fell into it for reasons not known yet. His wife immediately noticed this and shouted for help. Some Sevayats (servitors) of the temple who were present nearby informed Singha Dwar (Lion’s Gate) police and local fire services personnel.

The elderly man was rescued from 70 feet deep inside the well with the help of a rope ladder and oxygen support system. Later, the tourist was admitted to Sadar Hospital after he felt uncomfortable.

“We are probing into why the elderly couple had gone near the well. The temple administration is also verifying whether any iron mesh was put on the well for protection or not,” an official said.