Stampede at Bhavnath temple in Gujarat; 6 killed

Six people were killed and 12 others injured in a stampede that broke out on Sunday night at Bhavnath temple's annual Mahashivratri fair in the foothills of Mount Girnar in Gujarat's Junagadh district.

According to police, the stampede occurred following panic after the brakes of a four-wheeler at the fair venue apparently failed. The Bhavnath temple is about 150 km from Rajkot.

Tens of thousands of devotees had gathered at the popular fair which will conclude on the occasion of Mahashivratri festival tomorrow. Bhavnath is an important Shiva temple.

Six people are dead and 12 injured, police in Junagadh said. The dead comprised three women, two children and one man.

The injured, some of whom are reported to be critical, were being rushed to nearby hospitals.

Ambulance personnel said they were finding it difficult to take the injured because of traffic jams at the road leading to the temple.