SOUTHERN INDIA – Deadly
stampedes are a repeated occurrence during Indian religious festivals, where
large crowds gather in small areas with few safety or crowd control measures.
In October 2013 a stampede in Madhya Pradesh state in
central India killed more than 110 people, mostly women and children.
On Tuesday, at least 22 people were killed and 10 others
injured in a stampede during a Hindu religious bathing festival in southern
India, according to a government official.
Arun Kumar, a state administrator, said the stampede
occurred in Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh state on Tuesday as tens of thousands
of people pushed forward to bathe in the Godavari river during the Pushkaralu
festival.
Police said the stampede was triggered by some pilgrims who
were trying to retrieve their shoes, which had fallen off in the rush to the
river bank.
Festival participants believe a bath in the river can rid
them of their sins.
Rajahmundry is 450 kilometers (280 miles) east of Hyderabad, the joint capital of Andhra Pradesh and newly created Telangana state. Nearly 24 million people are expected to take part in the 12-day festival along the Godavari river flowing through the two states.
Rajahmundry is 450 kilometers (280 miles) east of Hyderabad, the joint capital of Andhra Pradesh and newly created Telangana state. Nearly 24 million people are expected to take part in the 12-day festival along the Godavari river flowing through the two states.
Source: Agency
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