At least 20 dead in stampede in E India

NEW DELHI - At least 20 people, including children and women, were killed and several others injured in a stampede on a bridge over the Ganges river during a Hindu religious ceremony Monday evening in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, said local media reports.

The incident took place in Bihar's state capital Patna during the Chhath festival celebrations worshipping the Sun, when people were returning after offering prayers at sunset at the famous Adalatganj ghat.

A temporary bridge made of bamboo collapsed due to heavy rush of people, mainly devotees and their family members, said Indo-Asian News Service.

All the bodies were brought to the Patna Medical College Hospital for postmortem and the injured were admitted for treatment in nearby hospitals.

Over 100,000 people were present during the ceremony.

Stampedes take place from time to time in India, especially during religious ceremonies which attract huge crowds.

Hindu devotees pray while standing in the waters of the Arabian Sea as they worship the Sun god during the Hindu religious festival in Mumbai, Nov 19, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]