150 dead in Indian temple stampede

NEW DELHI (Agencies) - As many as 150 were killed and 400 to 500 devotees injured on Sunday in a stampede at the Naina Devi Temple in Bilaspur district of Indian State of Himachal Pradesh, a private TV quoting state Minister said.

The temple is located about 160 kms from state capital Shimla. Media reports said, the stampede was triggered when railing on the way to the temple collapsed.

Thousands of devotees assembled at the temple on a hill for offering prayers on the occasion of Navratra. Due to heavy rush, the railing collapsed and hundreds of devotees fell down, officials said  

The officials further said rumours of a landslide and rolling down of stones from a nearby hilltop spread among the devotees which apparently caused the stampede.

Due to panic, the devotees in large numbers tried to come down from the hill in panic. The railing along the four-km track to the temple collapsed due their pressure.

Rescue teams have reached the spot. The injured have been shifted to the hospitals in Shimla, Chandigarh and other Punjab cities.

Media reports said, the stampede was triggered when railing on the way to the temple collapsed. Thousands of devotees had assembled at the temple on a hill for offering prayers on the occasion of Navratra. Due to heavy rush, the railing collapsed and hundreds of devotees fell down, officials said.