At least 80 worshippers are feared dead after a stampede at a Hindu temple in the northern India state of Rajasthan.
At least 100 devotees have been killed in a stampede at a Hindu temple in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan.
Local officials said at least 100 more were thought to be injured after the incident at the Chamunda Devi temple in the historic city of Jodhpur.
Officials said at least 100 more were injured in the incident at the Chamunda Devi temple in the city of Jodhpur.
A wall near the temple is said to have collapsed, causing panic among thousands of gathered devotees.
A wall near the temple is said to have collapsed, causing panic among thousands of gathered devotees.
India's temples have suffered several deadly stampedes recently - including one last month where 140 were killed.
The have been a number of deadly stampedes in India's temples recently - including one last month in which 140 were killed.
That crush, in Himachal Pradesh state, was caused when a rain shelter on the mountain path to the temple collapsed, triggering rumours of a landslide.
An official in Jodhpur said the collapse of a wall leading up to the temple had forced people to run for safety.
An official in Jodhpur said the latest tragedy was sparked when a wall leading up to the temple fell, killing several people and causing crowds to scatter.
"People are still buried under the wall. We are pulling them out," Kiran Soni Gupta told AFP news agency.
"People are still buried under the wall. We are pulling them out," Kiran Soni Gupta told AFP news agency.
Jodhpur police chief Malini Agarwal said overcrowding appeared to have led to the stampede as more than 12,000 people had gathered at the temple to celebrate a festival.
Jodhpur police chief Malini Agarwal said more than 12,000 people had gathered at the temple to celebrate a festival.
The people had gathered to celebrate the start of a nine-day Hindu festival known as Navaratra.
They were there to celebrate the start of a nine-day Hindu festival known as Navaratra.
TV news channels showed pictures of injured devotees lying on the streets, and relatives trying to revive unconscious pilgrims.
TV news channels showed pictures of injured devotees lying on the streets, and relatives trying to revive unconscious pilgrims.
"When I arrived, I saw chaos, people running around the place. I was looking for my friend and after a while found him," Manish, a local, student said.
"When I arrived, I saw chaos, people running around the place. I was looking for my friend and after a while found him," Manish, a local, student said.
"He was unconscious but without serious injuries."
"He was unconscious but without serious injuries."
Manish said the path leading up to temple was "very narrow".
Manish said the path leading up to temple was "very narrow".
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 four fatal stampedes in the country this year.
There have been at least four fatal stampedes in the country so far during 2008.
Are you in Jodhpur? Did you witness the stampede at the Chamunda Devi temple? Send us your comments.
