Saturday, February 4 2006 12:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Manila: In the worst mishap of its kind in the Philippines, more than 66 people were killed and an unspecified number were injured when a stampede broke out during the staging of a gameshow similar to 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' at a stadium near here.

The mayor of Pasig city said at least 66 bodies had been recovered and the count of those injured was on.

"We feel the number of dead could be much higher," he said.

The incident took place at nine in the morning when the organisers of the gameshow announced that all entrances except one would be closed because of the heavy rush.

After the announcement, people outside the stadium, 15 km from here, thronged the sole gate leading to the stampede, the worst ever in the Philippines.

The elimination round of the gameshow was going on in which cash prizes were being given to people giving correct answers to questions.

Nearly 100,000 people were within and outside the Uldra Savia stadium at the time of the stampede, a government spokesman said.