21 Feared Dead in Stampede at Hindu Festival: CNN

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, August 27, 2003

21 Feared Dead in Stampede at Hindu Festival: CNN

At least 21 people are feared dead and 30 others injured after a stampede broke out at the Hindu festival of Kumbh Mela in western India, a state minister told CNN.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Deadly stampede at Hindu festival

At least 21 people are feared dead and 30 others injured after a stampede broke out at the Hindu festival of Kumbh Mela in western India, a state minister told CNN.

The stampede Wednesday came as an estimated 4 million Hindus crowded to bathe in the Godavari River at Nasik, about 95 miles (150 kilometers) northeast of India's financial capital of Mumbai.

Police say a barricade apparently gave way as tens of thousands of pilgrims pressed against it.

The Kumbh Mela festival is held every 12 years, timed in connection with alignments of the Sun and Jupiter.

While the main festival is held near the city of Allahabad, the Nasik festival is one of the "mini-Kumbhs," that are held more often.

The Godavari is considered sacred by Hindus, who believe they can rid themselves of sin by bathing in its waters during special days and festivals.

Some 60 million people are estimated to take part at various times during the festival, which started July 30 and ends September 1.

CNN's Suhasini Haidar, who attended a bathing festival at Nasik earlier this month, said the rite has been associated with stampedes in the past.

"There are so many people, it's just a mass of humanity that's all crowding into this one river ... going through very, very narrow lanes," she said.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Martin Luther King's Dream Hard to Be Fulfilled ( 23 Messages)

China's Economy Faces Stiff Challenges: Minister ( 3 Messages)

China's 150 million mu Forests Plagued by Exotic Pests ( 3 Messages)

Is a Good Husband Worth More Than a Good Job? ( 2 Messages)

Poll Shows More Americans Wouldn't Vote for Bush ( 15 Messages)