In Madhya Pradesh, at least eighty nine people have been killed and more than 50 injured in a stampede at Ratangarh Temple in Datia district on Sunday. According to police, most of the deceased included women, children and elderly people. DIG Chambal Range D. K. Arya said that, stampede broke out as a result of rumours about the bridge being damaged. Police resorted to mild lathi charge to control an angry crowd, which pelted stones at the cops. A sub-divisional police officer suffered serious injuries after being hit by stones, the DIG said. Some other policemen were also injured. AIR Bhopal correspondent reports that 89 bodies were found till now. Several injured were admitted to hospitals in Gwalior and surrounding areas.

A large number of devotees had gathered at the temple for Durga Puja festivities. The incident happened when the pilgrims were crossing the Sindh river bridge to attend a religious ritual on the last day of Navaratra festival at Mandula Devi temple. The stampede was caused by rumours that a bridge they were crossing was about to collapse. Some people ran towards a bridge across Sindh river. Some of the devotees are feared to have fallen into the river and are untraceable so far. State government has ordered a judicial probe into the incident and with the approval of the Election Commission, has announced an ex-gratia of Rs One lakh fifty thousand to the kin of those killed in the stampede. The government also announced an assistance of Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured and Rs 25,000 each for those who suffered minor injuries in the mishap.