Friday, March 5, 2010

Temple Stampede in India: dozens injured, 63 dead

LUCKNOW, India-A stampede occurred out a Hindu Temple in India last Thursday killing 63 and leaving many injured. The said victims, who were mostly women and children, were jostled, together with thousands of people there as they make their way to get free food and clothing.

Reports from the said stampede knocked down a gate in the said temple compound, a result of the strong force.

Senior police Mahesh Mishra said in his statement that there were 37 dead among the children and 26 on women. Witnesses said that children fell first due to the impact of the crowd. The women fell next in their attempt to save them. Their deaths were led with either being crushed by the fallen gates of beaten by being stepped as they try to crawl from underneath to escape.

After the crowd was cleared by local police, residents nearby helped rush the injured to nearby hospitals. It was said that the police had a difficult time clearing the temple premises.

The said temple is found in Kunda, a small town 110 miles (180 kilometers) southeast of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh state.

Stampedes are said to be very common in India especially during temple celebrations. The said gather in Kunda last Thursday was to mark the death anniversary of the religious leader Kripalu Maharaj.

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