Madhya Pradesh temple stampede: 27 of 29 stampedes in country in last five years at religious places

Out of 29 major stampede incidents that took place in the country in the last five years, 27 broke out at religious places and killed more than 750 people and injured hundred others, according to the ministry of home affairs records.

The Sunday stampede in Datia district of northern Madhya Pradesh was yet another case of unregulated traffic and unprecedented crowd in a religious place that killed at least 115 people and injured 100 others.

After a stampede in Satara district of Maharashtra in January 2005 claimed 291 lives, the highest in the last decade, the union government issued an advisory to all states directing them to take steps to manage crowds during religious festivals and fairs. However, the state governments failed to act on it and several incidents of stampedes were recorded.

In October 2008, the home ministry again issued a detailed advisory to avoid stampedes and suggested installation of control systems at every entry and exit point, establishment of sound alert system at all religious places and regular staff training for evacuation procedures.

The Madhya Pradesh incident, however, shows that the states have failed to take serious actions to ensure safety of people visiting religious places.

For a slideshow on India's 16 worst stampedes at holy places, click here.