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JODHPUR, India-At least 147 people died in a stampede at a temple in the Indian desert state of Rajasthan as Hindus gathered to begin one of the most important religious festivals of the year, police said Tuesday.A handful of people fell while climbing a steep slope toward the Chamunda temple, sited inside a hilltop fort near the city of Jodhpur, triggering the crush, a Reuters photographer at the scene said."People were falling over one another. Many ran but were trampled under the feet of thousands," Anubhav, a witness who only gave his first name, said.Other witnesses said too many people were trying to pass through a narrow part of the climb at the same time. Many suffocated after they fell."We have a final figure of 147 people died and 55 injured," Rajiv Dasoth, an inspector-general with the Rajasthan police, said. "The situation is under control and all the injured are being taken care of in hospitals."Officials said the crowds were especially large Tuesday, as pilgrims gathered for the start of the nine-day Navratri festival."Some people fell on a ramp leading to the temple and it caused more casualties," Dasoth said, adding a barricade separating women and children from men broke, leading to more casualties.Local television showed volunteers carrying bodies and trying to revive them on the street. One child cried over her father's lifeless body, wailing "Daddy, please get up."To read more go to:
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