Friday, July 29 2005 21:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: At least 16 people including eight women and children were killed in a stampede at Nehru Nagar area in the city tonight (July 29, 2005), a senior police official said.

Eighteen people have been injured in the incident and were admitted to the Cooper Hospital and Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai, Jt Commissioner of Police Arup Patnaik said.

The stampede took place following widespread rumour at a slum cluster that there is a breach in the embankment of Pawai lake.

"The slum was not having electric supply and as such the slum residents were not able to see or hear appeals by police on television urging people not to believe in the rumours," Patnaik said.

Meanwhile, angry relatives of those killed and injured gathered at the Cooper Hospital and gheraoed the hospital authorities, shouting anti-administration slogans.

Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil said that help of media was being sought to urge people not to believe in such rumours, police vans were out on the streets announcing that people should not believe in the rumours, Patil said.

Asked, who he felt had started the rumours, Patil, who also holds Home Portfolio, said, "At primary stage it seems that thieves have spread the rumour."

City Police Commissioner A N Ray has reached the site of the stampede.