India: 91 people died in stampede

At least 91 people were killed and about 100 injured in a stampede at a Hindu temple in central India, according to AFP.

The BBC quoted police as saying the incident happened as thousands of people gathered for the Durga festival at the Ratangarh temple, 60km from the town of Datia in Madhya Pradesh state. Police said the stampede occurred as people tried to cross a bridge over the Sindh River near the temple. Most of the victims died in the stampede. Some drowned after jumping into the river.

The Times of India said the tragedy was sparked by rumours that the bridge was about to collapse. Other sources said police used batons to disperse the crowd, further fuelling the panic. Stampedes are common at Hindu festivals. Dozens of people died in three such incidents last year. In 2008, about 220 people died in a stampede at the Chamunda Devi temple.

According to Tuoi Tre - DT