Tragedy strikes Navratra festival; 147 killed in stampede in Jodhpur

Jaipur, Sep 30 (UNI) Tragedy struck on the first day of Navratras when 147 people were crushed to death in a stampede during the Navratra Sthapana ceremony at the ancient Chamunda Mata Temple in the Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur, 290 km from here, this morning, Jodhpur Divisional Commisioner Kiran Soni Gupta said.

More than 150 others were injured in the incident.

About 15 to 20 people died on the spot while others succumbed later either on the way to hospitals or at the hospitals. Barring a few women and children, the deceased were mostly men in the age group of 18 to 30.

The injured were rushed to Mathura Das Mathur Hospital, Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Kamla Nehru Hospital and about half a dozen other private hospitals, Ms Gupta said.

Fifty-five of the injured were still being treated at various hospitals where conditions of two was stated to be critical, she said.

Over 100 injured were discharged after first aid, official sources said.

Taxi drivers also played a great role in relief operations as they volunteered their vehicles to transport the victims to the hospitals.

Various organisations also came forward to assist the administration in dealing with the situation.

State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur and a Sojat based NGO have even announced relief for the victims.

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