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India temple stampede 'kills 140' India temple stampede 'kills 140'
(about 2 hours later)
A stampede at a hilltop temple in northern India has killed at least 140 people, police say. At least 140 people have died in a stampede at a Hindu temple in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
The stampede happened at the Nainadevi temple in the Bilsapur district of Himachal Pradesh state, during a nine-day Hindu religious festival. A rain shelter on the mountain path to the temple collapsed, triggering rumours of a landslide.
Police said the victims included 40 children. Fifty more people were hurt and have been taken to hospital. Many of the victims were children, trampled to death during the panic. Fifty more people were hurt and are being treated in hospital.
The Nainadevi temple is about 160km (100 miles) from the Himalayan hill town of Shimla. Tens of thousands of devotees had been gathering to celebrate the annual nine-day festival of Shravan Navratras.
An investigation is now under way into the incident at the Nainadevi temple, in the Bilsapur district, about 160km (100 miles) from the Himalayan hill town of Shimla.
Most of the worshippers are believed to be from the neighbouring state of Punjab.Most of the worshippers are believed to be from the neighbouring state of Punjab.
Sunday crowdsSunday crowds
Crowds had gathered at the temple to celebrate the festival of Shravan Navratras, which began on Saturday and runs until 11 August. Thousands of Hindu worshippers were climbing up a 4-km (2.5-mile) trail leading to the hilltop temple, chanting and singing hymns, when the stampede happened.
At least 50,000 people were expected to attend the festivities, says the BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Delhi.
Up to 50,000 people may have been at the temple for the festivities
Hindu worshippers were climbing up a 4-km (2.5-mile) trail leading to a hill-top temple, chanting and singing hymns, when the stampede happened.
Our correspondent says a rain shelter beside the narrow mountain collapsed during poor weather conditions, causing widespread panic amid fears of a landslide.
Hundreds were then crushed together in a tiny space where they were unable to breathe.
Children lost their grip on their mothers' hands and were crushed under the feet of scared pilgrims attempting to leap over broken railings to save themselves, witnesses said.
Television footage showed the narrow path strewn with torn clothes and bags with flowers and offerings.
Timeline: Deadly stampedesTimeline: Deadly stampedes
The rain shelter collapsed during poor weather conditions, causing widespread panic.
Children lost their grip on their mothers' hands and were crushed under the feet of scared pilgrims attempting to leap over broken railings to save themselves, witnesses said.
Television footage showed the narrow path strewn with torn clothes and bags of flowers and offerings.
Survivors gathered at nearby hospitals looking for injured relatives.Survivors gathered at nearby hospitals looking for injured relatives.
The chief minister of Himachal Pradesh is said to have offered compensation to those injured in the stampede, and to the families of those killed.The chief minister of Himachal Pradesh is said to have offered compensation to those injured in the stampede, and to the families of those killed.
Indian temples are regularly hit by stampedes, as huge crowds of Hindu devotees flock to make offerings at festival times.Indian temples are regularly hit by stampedes, as huge crowds of Hindu devotees flock to make offerings at festival times.
There have been at least three fatal stampedes in the country so far during 2008, although the numbers killed were far smaller than in the latest incident.There have been at least three fatal stampedes in the country so far during 2008, although the numbers killed were far smaller than in the latest incident.
Were you at the temple when the stampede happened? Have you been affected by this event? Tell us about what you have seen by filling in the form below.Were you at the temple when the stampede happened? Have you been affected by this event? Tell us about what you have seen by filling in the form below.
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