Religious-related Disasters

MUMBAI, India | March 04 2010 — More than 60 people, the majority of them women and children, were trampled to death in a massive stampede at a temple in northern India yesterday.

The stampede broke out as more than 10,000 people crammed into a narrow area built for less than 250 in Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh.

The deaths came as the crowd jostled with each other to get free food, clothes and utensils being distributed to the poor during a religious ceremony.

An gate, which was under-construction, is believed to have collapsed as the crowd pushed forward towards the local holy man. While most people were crushed under the gate, it triggered a panic and hundreds tried to escape through a narrow outlet, many tripped and fell under the feet of the hurrying crowd.

The disaster struck at the Ram Janaki temple owned by Jagadguru Kripaluji Maharaj, a well-known holy man, in the town of Kunda, about 640km south-east of New Delhi. Thirty-seven of those killed were children. The death toll is expected to rise given many of the injured are in a critical condition.  Complete story here…

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