A stampede at a hilltop temple in northern India has killed at least 120 people, police say.
A stampede at a hilltop temple in northern India has killed at least 140 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 40 children. Fifty 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.
Most of the worshippers are believed to be from the neighbouring state of Punjab.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
