Mumbai, August 27
At least 39 worshippers, including 26 women, died after fellow devotees trampled upon them at the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Nashik, the police said.

The stampede occurred around 1.30 this afternoon when the rush of people on a warren of narrow streets caused the barricades at a gully near the Kalaram temple to give way.

All victims were brought dead to hospitals, officials said from Nashik. Rescue operations were affected due to the rush of people on the narrow roads that made movement of ambulance and police vehicles difficult.

Though the exact picture is still unclear, eyewitnesses told television networks that devotees scrambled for money being thrown at them by sadhus. The resulting commotion caused several women and elderly devotees to fall down on the ground, it is reported. The roads in this ancient temple town are less than six feet wide at several places.

According to Nashik Commissioner Vimlendra Mishra, the injured were admitted to the Civil Hospital there. Most of the dead and injured were from North India, mainly UP and Bihar, Mr Mishra told reporters.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minster Chhagan Bhujbal told reporters that the situation was worsened when pilgrims broke barricades to reach the bathing ghats earlier.

The Deputy Chief Minister announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to next of kin of killed and Rs 50,000 each for the injured. Those with minor injuries would be paid Rs 10,000 each.

In all, nearly 70 lakh persons have converged on Nashik to participate in the Kumbh Mela, according to police officials here.

The number of injured is more than 175, though most of them have suffered only minor injuries, Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Kripashankar Singh told reporters at Nashik.