Tuesday, January 25 2005 19:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Wai (Maharashtra): At least 300 persons were today (Jan 25, 2005) killed and over 200 others injured in a stampede at Mandradevi temple located on a hillock in Satara district, Additional Director General of Police (Maharashtra) V N Deshmukh said.

He said most of the victims were women and children.

Deshmukh told reporters in Mumbai that the toll is expected to go up. He said the injured were rushed to various hospitals in the district.

Satara police control confirmed over 300 persons were killed and said the number of injured could not be ascertained immediately as they were being moved to different hospitals.

An electrical short circuit and resultant explosion in a transformer with a loud bang caused panic among the devotees, who were entering the sanctum sanctorum of the temple leading to the stampede, official sources said.

Almost at the same time, impatient devotees broke into violence and torched nearby mandaps and pandals, the sources added.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister have reached the civil hospital at Wai.