At least 63 people killed in stampede at Indian temple
Stampede at Indian temple leaves at least 63 people dead, reports claim
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Thursday, 04, Mar 2010 03:27
At least 63 people have been killed in a stampede at a temple in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, local police have said.
It has been suggested as many as 37 of the reported dead are children, with the remaining casualties being women.
The incident occurred following a stampede of thousands of people as free clothes were given out during a religious ceremony in the town Kunda in Pratapgarh district.
Eyewitness reports claim a partly-built gate at the temple collapsed in the melee, leaving dozens of people dead.
The temple is owned by a Hindu holy man, Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj, who police say was marking the anniversary of the death of his wife with a ritual feast.
Assistant Superintendent of Police SP Pathak told the AFP news agency: "We have now counted all the bodies and they include 37 children and 26 women who had come to collect free gifts."
Similar accidents have happened in India, including in 2008 when nearly 300 people were killed in stampedes and scores injured in two different Hindu temples in Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh states.