Wednesday, January 26 2005 19:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi has condoled the death of 258 devotees in a stampede at a temple in Satara District of Maharashtra yesterday (Jan 25, 2005).

"I am deeply hurt by the news of the mishap. Several devotees have lost their lives. I am particularly sad to know that most of them were women and children," Gandhi said in a message.

Expressing her heart-felt sympathy to the families of the victims, she said, "Along with the State Government, it is our duty to help the victims and console those who have lost their near and dear ones, in this hour of grief".

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced ex-gratia payment of Rs 50,000 from to the next of the kin of the dead.

The compensation would be given from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, official sources said.Congress President Sonia Gandhi has condoled the death of 258 devotees in a stampede at a temple in Satara District of Maharashtra yesterday (Jan 25, 2005).

"I am deeply hurt by the news of the mishap. Several devotees have lost their lives. I am particularly sad to know that most of them were women and children," Gandhi said in a message.

Expressing her heart-felt sympathy to the families of the victims, she said, "Along with the State Government, it is our duty to help the victims and console those who have lost their near and dear ones, in this hour of grief".

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced ex-gratia payment of Rs 50,000 from to the next of the kin of the dead.

The compensation would be given from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, official sources said.