A stampede at a hilltop temple in northern India has killed at least 68 people, police say.
A stampede at a hilltop temple in northern India has killed at least 80 people, police say.
The stampede happened at the Nainadevi temple in the Bilsapur district of Himachal Pradesh state, during a nine-day Hindu religious festival.
The stampede happened at the Nainadevi temple in the Bilsapur district of Himachal Pradesh state, during a nine-day Hindu religious festival.
Reports said the victims were 30 children and 38 women, with more than 40 others also injured.
Police said the victims included 30 children. Dozens more people were hurt and have been taken to hospital.
The Nainadevi temple is about 160km (100 miles) from the Himalayan hill town of Shimla.
The Nainadevi temple is about 160km (100 miles) from the Himalayan hill town of Shimla.
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.
Sunday crowds
Sunday crowds
Crowds had gathered at the temple to celebrate the festival of Shravan Navratras, which began on Saturday and runs until 11 August, according to the temple's own website.
Crowds had gathered at the temple to celebrate the festival of Shravan Navratras, which began on Saturday and runs until 11 August, according to the temple's own website.
Up to 50,000 people may have been at the temple for the festivities, Indian media said.
Up to 50,000 people may have been at the temple for the festivities, Indian media said.
A local police official told the BBC Hindi service that the stampede happened when metal railings on the narrow approach to the temple broke, causing widespread panic.
A local police official told the BBC Hindi service that the stampede happened when metal railings on the narrow approach to the temple broke, causing widespread panic.
Hundreds were then crushed together in a tiny space where they were unable to breathe.
Hundreds were then crushed together in a tiny space where they were unable to breathe.
He said rescue teams were taking the injured to hospital and that the number of dead could be as high as 100.
He said rescue teams were taking the injured to hospital and that the number of dead could be as high as 100.
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.
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.
