At least 11 people have died and 50 others were injured in a stampede in Jharkhand’s Deogarh district. The death toll is likely to rise.
The stampede took place as large crowd had gathered for the annual Sawan Somvar celebrations at Deogarh’s Belabagan temple. The lane leading to the temple is narrow and congested and the local administration was unable to handle the crowd that had gathered there.
An official said that around 4:30 AM a group of devotees broke the line and started running and it led to stampede. At least 80,000 people have gathered at the temple and the queue is 15 kms long.
DB Sharma, Deputy Inspector General at Santhal, said, “All preparations were made for a large number of devotees. This was an unfortunate accident. The injured are being treated at the local hospital.”
The authorities were expecting such a large crowd and there was a heavy police presence to control the situation, said an official.
Officials said the situation is under control and devotees are offering prayers.