More than a dozen people died in a devastating wedding ceremony accident on Wednesday night during a ritual to ward off evil spirits.

As NBC News reports, 13 people, all women and children, were sitting in an iron grate covering a well during a wedding celebration in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, when the grate gave way and numerous wedding guests fell into the well.

Police told the news outlet that a one-year-old child is among the dead, and that a 14th victim was injured.

The tragedy occured during a “haldi” ceremony, described in the NBC News report as “a pre-wedding Hindu ritual in which a paste of turmeric is applied on the bride and groom to ward off evil spirits.”

The families of those who died will receive upward of $5,300 in district competansory funding, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reportedly confirmed.

CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.