6 killed in Bhavnath temple stampede in Gujarat

Rajkot, Feb.19: Six people were killed and eight others injured in a stampede that broke out tonight at Bhavnath temple's annual Mahashivratri fair in the foothills of Mount Girnar in Gujarat's Junagadh district.

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

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

Five people are dead and eight injured, police sources in Junagadh said. Three women are reported to be among the dead.

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.

PTI