Beijing: In a tragic end to the Chinese spring festival, at least 37 people were tonight (Feb 5, 2004) crushed to death and 15 injured in a stampede at a Lantern festival gathering, police said.

The accident occurred in suburban Miyun county in the Mihong Park at 19:45 hours (17:15 hours IST) where people had gathered to celebrate the festival, that falls on the 15th day of the first Chinese lunar month and marks the last day of the spring festival, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

The accident occurred when one spectator stumbled on a bridge in the park and several people fell over in a chain reaction. Many of them were suffocated to death, Xinhua said, adding that doctors rushed to the spot right after the disaster.

On hearing about the mishap, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao called for utmost efforts to save the injured and urged investigation into the cause of the accident.

Beijing municipal leaders Liu Qi and Wang Qishan rushed to the scene to supervise rescue work.

All the tourists to the lantern show had been sent away. Miyun is located about 65 km to the Northeast of Beijing.