In Madhya Pradesh, death toll in a stampede during Navratri festival near a temple in Datia district has risen to 139. More than 250 people were injured in the incident on the bridge over Sindh river near Ratangarh temple. Injured have been admitted in District
Hospitals of Datiya & Gwalior. 109 persons have been identified and the dead bodies have been handed over to their relatives.
The stampede was apparently triggered by a rumour that the bridge across Sindh river the devotees were crossing was about to collapse. About one lakh devotees had gathered at the Ratangarh temple, with over 5,000 crossing the bridge when the stampede ocurred.
Some people are feared to have fallen into the river while a few are still missing. The state government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, visited Datita Hospital and likely to visit site in a while. With the model code of conduct enforced ahead of polls,the state government has announced Rs 1 lack 50 thousand compensation to the next of kin with the approval of Election Commission .