More than 50 pilgrims are feared dead in a
stampede at a Hindu temple in central India,
police have said.
Thousands had gathered at the Ratangarh temple,
about 60km (37 miles) from Datia town in Madhya
Pradesh state, for a religious festival.
Police say the stampede happened as pilgrims tried to
cross a bridge on the Sindh river, near the shrine.
Most of the victims were killed in the stampede, while
others drowned after jumping off the bridge, reports
say.
The Times of India reported that the tragedy was
caused by rumours that the bridge was about to
collapse.
Other reports suggested that police used batons to
control the crowds, also spreading panic.
Hindu festivals in India are notorious for deadly
stampedes.
In the past year, dozens have died in three similar
tragedies.
In 2008, more than 220 people were killed in a
stampede at the Chamunda Devi Hindu temple inside
Jodhpur's famous Mehrangarh Fort.
Comments
Post a Comment