Nasik: At least 30 people were killed and 50 injured following a stampede near Ramkund on the occasion of "Shahi Snan (royal bath)".

"At least 30 people have died but we have spotted 29 bodies so far, another 50 injured persons have been admitted to the civil hospital ", Minister of State for Home Kripashankar Singh said.

The stampede occurred near Sardar chowkie, located near Ramkund, where pilgrims were collecting their foot-wears and were pushed from behind leading to the stampede, he said.

Singh said those injured were out of danger.

Singh, who spoke to the Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde after the incident, said the government would announce a compensation of Rs two lakh to the next of those killed and Rs 50,000 to the seriously wounded.

"It was a narrow lane towards the kund that led to the stampede", he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who heads the Home Ministry, has appealed the people to maintain calm and not to believe in rumours. He added that the government has announced a magisterial inquiry.

He said the situation at the Kumbh site was under control and all programmes were going on peacefully.

PTI