Temple Stampede: At Least 109 Worshipers Dead

At least 109 people have been killed in a stampede at a Hindu temple in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

Although the true cause of the stampede has yet to emerge, it has been reported that Pilgrims visiting the remote Ratangarh temple panicked after rumours spread that a bridge carrying 20,000 worshippers was about to collapse.

In the panic that followed, people were crushed to death or died after falling or jumping into the river below, officials said.

Rumous this bridge was about to collapse may have started the panic

The crush killed mostly women and children and although many bodies were pulled from the river, there are fears some bodies may have been washed away.

At least 130 people were injured in the incident which happened about 200 miles southeast of Delhi. Many of those who drowned while trying to save others, India's News Tribe website reported.

The incident happened at a bridge over the river Sindh where more than half a million pilgrims had gathered to take part in rituals.

Initial rumours suggested a police baton charge had caused the stampede, but this has been denied by senior officers.

A map showing the location of Datia

Engineers say the bridge was not damaged, and images from the scene showed vehicles and people using the bridge after the stampede occurred.

Relatives have been gathering outside a state-run hospital on Monday to take away the bodies after autopsies had been carried out.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan announced he had ordered a judicial probe into the incident.

Madhya Pradesh's government said it was offering Rs150,000 (£1,540) to the families of those who were killed and Rs50,000 (£513) to those who were seriously injured.

Bodies of Hindu devotees are loaded onto a truck following the tragedy

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tweeted: ''On this day of festivities, our hearts and prayers are with the victims and their families.''

The worshippers were gathering at the temple as part of the celebrations for the Navratri festival.

The 10-day festival includes an event marking the victory of the Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon in Hindu mythology.

In 2006, at least 35 devotees died at the same spot after they were washed away when a dam in a neighbouring province opened its sluice gates, causing a deluge.

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