Asia-Pacific
Stampede kills 7 India Hindu pilgrims
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-15 14:52
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 Pilgrims struggle to enter a temple premises at Sagar Islands, south of Kolkata, January 14, 2010. [Agencies] |
NEW DELHI: Seven pilgrims, including a child, were killed and at least 14 others injured in a stampede at the holy Gangasagar island in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal on Thursday, a police officer said.
"Seven people were killed and those injured in the stampede have been admitted to a local hospital. The stampede took place as the pilgrims were boarding a jetty to Gangasagar's holy confluence in South 24 Pargans, where the Ganges river meets the sea of Bay of Bengal. The pilgrims wanted to take a dip at the confluence of the river and the sea," the official said.
Millions of Hindu pilgrims take a pre-dawn bath in the waters at the confluence of the holy Ganges river with the sea which is said to be the world's largest religious gathering.
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 Pilgrims struggle to enter a temple premises at Sagar Islands, south of Kolkata, January 14, 2010. [Agencies] |
