At least 100 devotees have been killed in a stampede at a Hindu temple in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan.
At least 100 people have been killed in a stampede at a Hindu temple in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan.
Officials said at least 100 more were injured in the incident at the Chamunda Devi temple in the city of Jodhpur.
Officials told the BBC that at least 100 more were injured in the incident at the Chamunda Devi temple in 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.
There have been a number of deadly stampedes in India's temples recently - including one last month in which 140 were killed.
There have been a number of deadly stampedes in India's temples recently - last month 140 people were killed in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh.
An official in Jodhpur said the collapse of a wall leading up to the temple had forced people to run for safety.
Before dawn, thousands of people had made their way to the hill-top temple in a huge 15th Century fort overlooking Jodhpur.
They were gathering to celebrate the start of a nine-day Hindu festival known as Navaratra.
It is not entirely clear why the stampede happened, but an official in Jodhpur said the collapse of a wall on the narrow path leading to the temple caused people to flee in panic.
"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 more than 12,000 people had gathered at the temple to celebrate a festival.
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," local student Manish said.
"He was unconscious but without serious injuries."
"He was unconscious but without serious injuries."
Manish said the path leading up to the temple was "very narrow".
The authorities have ordered an investigation into the incident.
There have been at least four fatal stampedes in the country this year.
Are you in Jodhpur? Did you witness the stampede at the Chamunda Devi temple? Send us your comments.
Are you in Jodhpur? Did you witness the stampede at the Chamunda Devi temple? Send us your comments.
