At least 10 killed, 60 injured in temple stampede in Madhya Pradesh

Ten pilgrims were killed and over 60 are believed to have suffered injuries in a stampede early today at Kamtanath Pahad Temple, about 80 kms away from Satna district headquarters, on the Madhya Pradesh-Uttar Pradesh border.

Large number of devotees had gathered at the religious place on the occasion of 'Amavasya' and the incident during the circumambulation of the Kamtanath Pahad (mountain).

"Ten people were killed and over 60 are suspected to be injured in the stampede," Collector M L Meena said.

Devotees, mostly women, encircle the mountain by lying and rolling on the path for worship. The presence of a large crowd resulted in a stampede in the area leaving 10 dead, he said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of those killed in the stampede; Rs 50,000 to seriously injured and Rs 10,000 to those who suffered minor injuries.

The exact number of persons injured in the stampede will be known later as Collector and other senior officials have rushed to the spot from Satna to take stock of the situation.

Chitrakoot (MP): Stampede at Kamtanath temple, 10 people dead pic.twitter.com/3ITOVISCBu

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 25, 2014

The BJP government-led by Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a a compensation of Rs two lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured and Rs 10,000 to those who suffered minor injuries. 

In October 13,  2013, at least 115 people were killed in a stampede, when thousands of devotees had massed at a Durga temple in a forested part of Madhya Pradesh. More than 100 others were injured in the tragedy at the Ratangarh temple in Datia district, 390 km north of this state capital and 55 km from Datia town.