Over 140 killed in temple stampede: Rajasthan

Over 140 people have been confirmed dead and at least 420 injured in a major stampede that took place at a 15 century temple on the festival of Navarathri in Rajasthan.

Considered to be one of the worst tragedies to ever happen in the state , worshippers mostly men gathered at the Chamunda Devi temple situated on a hill top, when the tragedy struck at 5am in the morning.

According to eyewitnesses, a rumour of a bomb being planted in the temple was the reason that the stampede started. However some others claim, devotees slipped on a slope causing the stampede.

"As some devotees slipped on the slope on the temple path, others gathered there started falling on each other causing the stampede. A majority of those killed died due to suffocation as a result of the stampede," Rajasthan's Principal Secretary (Home) S N Thanvi said in Jaipur.

A police official said there is difficulty to render the exact figures and the casualties may go up.

In Jaipur, Chief Secretary D C Samant called a high–level meeting to discuss the relief and rescue measures, official sources said, adding that Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who is holding Navratra prayers at Tripura Sundari in Banswara district, will be visiting Jodhpur.

The Global Council of Indian Christians meanwhile in its report expressed deep “shock of the loss of precious lives” and urged Christians to “pray for peace.”