At least 115 people were killed and more than 100 injured in a stampede on a crowded bridge across Sindh river leading to Ratangarh temple in Datia district of northern Madhya Pradesh on Sunday.
Many of the devotees – mostly women and children – died by falling into the river below.
Eyewitnesses said the stampede was triggered by police using batons to control the crowd crossing the bridge, but the district administration said a rumour that the bridge was about to collapse led to the tragedy.
While 115 deaths were confirmed, the toll is expected to go much higher, said DK Arya, deputy inspector general (DIG), Chambal range.
He said many victims were in critical condition, and divers had been looking for survivors and bodies that may have been swept away by the strong currents of the river.
Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident on Sunday.
He will visit the spot around on Monday, along with the director general of police and the state chief secretary. After the CM’s meeting with the officials, administrative lapses are likely to emerge and an administrative inquiry is expected to be ordered.
On Sunday, the CM had announced financial assistance of Rs. 1.5 lakh each to kin of the dead, Rs. 50,000 to those who sustained serious injuries and Rs. 25,000 to others hurt in the stampede.
He made the announcement after taking permission from the Election Commission (EC), as the model code of conduct is in force in Madhya Pradesh due to the upcoming assembly elections.
The state government has also sought the EC’s nod to airlift the severely injured.
The tragedy brought back memories of a similar stampede at the same place in 2006, when at least 20 devotees had died.
It has also put the spotlight on poor crowd-control planning by the authorities, which has made stampedes a recurrent feature at religious congregations.
After Sunday’s stampede, tension prevailed in the area as angry people began throwing stones at police. About half a dozen cops reportedly sustained injuries.
There was a massive traffic jam on the way to the temple, which hampered rescue operations.
Inspector general of police (Chambal range) SM Afzal ordered more reinforcement of police personnel.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister condoled the loss of lives in the stampede. He asked the administration to ensure medical assistance to the injured.
“On this day of festivities, our hearts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday.
Many of the devotees – mostly women and children – died by falling into the river below.
Eyewitnesses said the stampede was triggered by police using batons to control the crowd crossing the bridge, but the district administration said a rumour that the bridge was about to collapse led to the tragedy.
While 115 deaths were confirmed, the toll is expected to go much higher, said DK Arya, deputy inspector general (DIG), Chambal range.
He said many victims were in critical condition, and divers had been looking for survivors and bodies that may have been swept away by the strong currents of the river.
Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident on Sunday.
He will visit the spot around on Monday, along with the director general of police and the state chief secretary. After the CM’s meeting with the officials, administrative lapses are likely to emerge and an administrative inquiry is expected to be ordered.
On Sunday, the CM had announced financial assistance of Rs. 1.5 lakh each to kin of the dead, Rs. 50,000 to those who sustained serious injuries and Rs. 25,000 to others hurt in the stampede.
He made the announcement after taking permission from the Election Commission (EC), as the model code of conduct is in force in Madhya Pradesh due to the upcoming assembly elections.
The state government has also sought the EC’s nod to airlift the severely injured.
The tragedy brought back memories of a similar stampede at the same place in 2006, when at least 20 devotees had died.
It has also put the spotlight on poor crowd-control planning by the authorities, which has made stampedes a recurrent feature at religious congregations.
After Sunday’s stampede, tension prevailed in the area as angry people began throwing stones at police. About half a dozen cops reportedly sustained injuries.
There was a massive traffic jam on the way to the temple, which hampered rescue operations.
Inspector general of police (Chambal range) SM Afzal ordered more reinforcement of police personnel.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister condoled the loss of lives in the stampede. He asked the administration to ensure medical assistance to the injured.
“On this day of festivities, our hearts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday.
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