Dozens die in India stampede

2013-10-14 47

PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3

PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS IMAGES OF DEAD BODIES

At least 89 people lost their lives in a stampede across this bridge in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

Some were crushed to death, others drowned after jumping or falling into the river below.

More than a hundred others were injured.

The stampede erupted as thousands of pilgrims were crossing the bridge leading to a remote Hindu temple outside the town of Datia on Sunday.

Police and some pilgrims appeared to blame each other for starting it.

(SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) MAN WHO LOST HIS MOTHER, VIPUL PATHAK, SAYING:

"My mother is dead and six people from my village were also killed. People were leaving from both exits after worshipping the Goddess. Suddenly, police arrived. They began shouting that the bridge had broken and they charged the devotees with batons."

(SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL OF MADHYA PRADESH STAT