Tuesday, January 25 2005 18:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Satara (Maharashtra): About 35 people, including women and children, were today (Jan 25, 2005) feared killed and over 50 injured in a stampede that occurred during an annual pilgrimage at the hilltop temple of Mandhradevi at Wahi, about 60 kms from Pune.

A short circuit near the temple created panic among the pilgrims leading to the stampede, official sources in Satara said adding that the situation became worse when a narrow path leading to the temple became jammed with the devotees.

The sources said that 30 to 35 people are believed to have died in the incident and over 50 were injured.

Narrow passage to the temple made it difficult for the medical teams to reach the spot, they said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil have rushed to Satara.

Speaking to reporters at Mantralaya in Mumbai, Deshmukh said, "We have received information of some deaths, but do not know the exact figure".