Six killed in Andhra temple stampede

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New Delhi: Six people, including two children, were killed in a stampede at the Kanakdurga Temple in Vijaywada. At least 10 devotees have been injured.

The stampede occurred early on Thursday morning when several people rushed towards the popular hill shrine.

More than 100,000 people had gathered at the temple for a special prayer ceremony, but there was not enough security to control the crowds

The injured were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.

State Endowment Minister J Ratnakar Rao has ordered a departmental enquiry into the incident and blamed the temple authorities for failing to make proper arrangements for the pilgrims.

The government has announced that it will give Rs 1 lakh compensation for the families of those killed and 10,000 rupees to each of the injured.

Eyewitness said the police stepped into action too late. "They came and pushed us off there was no police anywhere," said one.

Recalled another, "There was only one path and there were lakhs of people and just the three of us we couldn't manage."

The state government has ordered a probe into the incident and two Cabinet Ministers have been asked to inquire into the matter.

The temple has been closed for devotees and the managing committee may be dissolved for being negligent.