Over 115 pilgrims, including children, were killed and more than 100 injured in a stampede at Ratangarh temple in Datia District of Madhya Pradesh in India on Sunday morning. Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has ordered a judicial inquiry to probe the tragedy.
At least 50 were killed in stampede, while others drowned after jumping off the bridge in panic. The Ratangarh “Mata” temple located about 55km from district headquarters and 405km north of the state capital.
“Total of 68 bodies have been recovered so far, and the count is on. Some others have died on way to hospital, so the toll might three digits,” said a senior intelligence officer.
The tragedy was allegedly caused by rumour that the bridge on Sindh River, through which the pilgrims were heading towards temple, was collapsing after a tractor trolley rammed into it and fell into the river. There were more than 50,000 devotees around the spot.
