Death toll in India temple stampede rises to 109 worshippers

Reports say that worshippers panicked after rumours spread that the bridge carrying 20,000 people was about to collapse.

14:45 14 October 2013

There were at least 109 people that were killed in a stampede at a Hindu Temple in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh over the weekend. 

Numerous reports suggest that worshippers panicked after they heard that the bridge carrying 20,000 people was about to collapse. Officials said that because people panicked, 109 worshippers died after falling or jumping into the river below. There were also those who were crushed to death, mostly women and children.

Proving that the rumours were not true, engineers said that the bridge was not damaged. After the stampede, people and vehicles were seen using the bridge.

Officials also said that many bodies were pulled from the river however, there are fears that more bodies may have been washed away. India’s News Tribe reported that many of those who drowned died while they were trying to save others.

Another 130 people were injured.

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

The incident took place about 200 miles of southeast of Delhi. Almost half a million pilgrims had gathered to the place to take part in rituals to honor the Hindu mother goddess Durga on the last day of the 10-day Navaratra festival.