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India temple stampede in Madhya Pradesh 'kills 89' India temple stampede in Madhya Pradesh 'kills 89'
(35 minutes later)
Some 89 pilgrims have been killed in a stampede near a Hindu temple in central India, local officials have said. Some 89 pilgrims, mostly women and children, have been killed in a stampede at a Hindu festival in central India, local officials have said.
Thousands had gathered at the Ratangarh temple, about 60km (37 miles) from Datia town in Madhya Pradesh state, for a religious festival. Many were crushed after panic broke out on a bridge near the Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh state. Others died when they jumped from the bridge.
Panic broke out as crowds of pilgrims tried to cross a bridge on the Sindh river, near the shrine. Officials said the stampede may have been sparked by a rumour that the bridge was about to collapse.
Most of the victims were killed in the stampede, while others drowned after jumping off the bridge. Hundreds of thousands had gathered near the town of Datia for the festival.
Local devotee Atul Chaudhary, who survived the crush, told BBC Hindi there were a couple of thousand people on the bridge. Local devotee Atul Chaudhary, who survived the crush, told BBC Hindi there had been a couple of thousand people on the bridge.
He heard screams, and people began rushing to get off the bridge.He heard screams, and people began rushing to get off the bridge.
"Several people could be seen flattened to the ground in the midst of the melee," he said."Several people could be seen flattened to the ground in the midst of the melee," he said.
"Some of the youngsters panicked and jumped into the swollen river."Some of the youngsters panicked and jumped into the swollen river.
"I and my friends were close to the exit point and along with several others ran for safety. Scores of others were not so lucky.""I and my friends were close to the exit point and along with several others ran for safety. Scores of others were not so lucky."
The narrow bridge is about 500m long, and had only recently been rebuilt following another stampede in 2007.The narrow bridge is about 500m long, and had only recently been rebuilt following another stampede in 2007.
Madhya Pradesh health minister Narottam Mishra said 89 people were confirmed to have died.Madhya Pradesh health minister Narottam Mishra said 89 people were confirmed to have died.
"The cause of the stampede is a matter of judicial inquiry. Information from locals suggests that rumours of the bridge giving way could have led to the stampede," he said."The cause of the stampede is a matter of judicial inquiry. Information from locals suggests that rumours of the bridge giving way could have led to the stampede," he said.
Other reports suggested that police sparked panic by using batons to control the crowd.Other reports suggested that police sparked panic by using batons to control the crowd.
Officials said the dead included 42 women, 30 children and 17 men.
Emergency crews and specialist divers were still searching the river for bodies.Emergency crews and specialist divers were still searching the river for bodies.
Local official Sanket Bhondve said the immediate priority was to provide relief to those injured.Local official Sanket Bhondve said the immediate priority was to provide relief to those injured.
The accident happened at about 09:00 (03:30 GMT), but information was slow to emerge because the temple is in a remote area with erratic mobile-phone coverage.The accident happened at about 09:00 (03:30 GMT), but information was slow to emerge because the temple is in a remote area with erratic mobile-phone coverage.
Hindu festivals in India are notorious for deadly stampedes.Hindu festivals in India are notorious for deadly stampedes.
In the past year, dozens have died in three similar tragedies.In the past year, dozens have died in three similar tragedies.
In 2011 more than 100 died at a festival in the southern state of Kerala.In 2011 more than 100 died at a festival in the southern state of Kerala.
Inside Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort, more than 220 people were killed in 2008 in a stampede at the Chamunda Devi Hindu temple.Inside Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort, more than 220 people were killed in 2008 in a stampede at the Chamunda Devi Hindu temple.