NEWS: 300 Pilgrims Killed In Stampede In India

Many Hindu pilgrims were killed in a stampede near a temple in western India today. A short-circuit in a power-cable which were hanging over the crowd caused it to fall down and cause fire and panic. They think the death toll might be more than 300.



This is not the first time pilgrims are trampled to death. Too many people crowded together in one place and things can easily get out of control.

Related News Links:
news.bbc.co.uk
www.abc.net.au

Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
India Stampede May Have Killed 300 Pilgrims

[edit on 2005/1/25 by Hellmutt]

I have the death toll at least 20 only according to this AP story

ap.tbo.com...

edit:
and this one has it at 150
www1.wsvn.com...

[edit on 1-25-2005 by worldwatcher]

There appears to be more than one version on what caused the disaster.

From: Coconut breaking ritual led to stampede

Superintendent of Police C P Kumbhar said that the coconut-breaking ceremony caused the ground outside the temple doors to become wet and slippery. Some of the pilgrims, who were dancing with an idol of a goddess over their heads, fell and got trampled by devotees coming in.

Kumbhar said that the initial news of people getting trampled over caused consternation amongst the devotees waiting for their turn. They turned violent and started torching the shops and pandals on the narrow route leading to the temple on a hillock.

The fire caused the gas cylinders, used for cooking, to explode which created panic among the huge queue of worshippers.

Well, whether it be 20 or 300, this is very sad news.

I hope the smaller number is more accurate.

sorry to be the one to say it, but when will they ever learn?
this kind of stuff happens at least once a year. Hindus have many significant days of worship, but the locations are always the same, you would think India has had centuries to better organize the process of pilgrims in any given place of worship.

Originally posted by Valhall

I hope the smaller number is more accurate.

Unfortunately not...

From: Temple stampede kills over 300, hundreds injured

[India News]: Mumbai, Jan 25 : A stampede caused by an electrical short circuit killed over 300 people at a highly revered Hindu hill shrine near Maharashtra's Satara town Tuesday in one of the worst tragedies of its kind.

At least 1,500 people were injured and many were reported missing.

The exact sequence of the tragedy, however, remained unclear.

I believe they did make changes this year, but sadly couldn't prevent the deaths. too bad.