TeluguabroadPatna Dussehra celebrations killed 32
Over 30 people have been killed and 15 others injured in a stampede during Dussehra celebrations at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, according to TV reports. The incident occurred soon after the effigy of Ravana was burnt in the ground.
The stampede took place at 7:05 pm as a crowd of over 50,000 people, which had gathered to watch the event, tried to exit from the solitary gate open on the southern end of the maidan.
Unconfirmed reports said that the stampede took place after rumours of a power cable snapping spread like wildfire. Only one gate on the southern end of the maidan was reportedly open as the crowd rushed towards it. The poor illumination at the Gandhi Maidan added to the chaos.
The government has ordered an inquiry into the incident. The government had also announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 3 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. Bihar home secretary Amir Subhani said 32 people had been killed and several were injured.
Officials says most of those killed were women and children. The stampede happened on a narrow road outside Gandhi Maidan when people were leaving the ground after the effigy had been burnt.
Some people fainted and were rushed to the Patna Medical College Hospital. The principal secretary to the Bihar chief minister has ordered a probe into the incident. The situation at the ground is under control, officials said.
Stampede during Dusshera celebrations in Patna,more than 15 injured pic.twitter.com/ooyTfmvpr2
— ANI (@ANI_news) October 3, 2014
