A stampede at a hilltop temple in northern India has killed at least 80 people, police say.
A stampede at a hilltop temple in northern India has killed at least 120 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.
Police said the victims included 30 children. Dozens more people were hurt and have been taken to hospital.
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.
Crowds had gathered at the temple to celebrate the festival of Shravan Navratras, which began on Saturday and runs until 11 August.
At least 50,000 people were expected to attend the festivities, says the BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Delhi.
At least 50,000 people were expected to attend the festivities, says the BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Delhi.
A local police official told the BBC Hindi service that the stampede happened when metal railings on the narrow mountain path 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 mountain path 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 had taken the injured to hospital and that the number of dead could be as high as 100. There are unconfirmed reports of 123 victims.
He said rescue teams had taken the injured to hospital and that the number of dead could be as high as 100. There are unconfirmed reports of 123 victims.
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.
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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.
