Patna stampede: Victims' kin livid over not being able to identify family members

A day after a stampede at Patna's Gandhi Maidan left at least 33 people dead, angry relatives said the authorities refused to open the gates to allow them to search for their family members.

"I have come here to find my family member, but the authorities are saying that there is no one to open the gates. I told them we will open the gates ourselves and identify our family members. I am looking for my uncle. If he is not here, then I will go somewhere else to find him," said a distraught Pramod Kumar.

"Three of my family members are missing since yesterday after they went to see the Dussehra celebrations at Gandhi Maidan, I have come here to look for them, but they are not opening the gates, and saying there is nobody to open the gates. When we said that we will open the gates ourselves, they refused. We want them to open the gate," added another relative Vimla Devi.

Apart from the deceased, at least 15 others were injured in yesterday's stampede who have been admitted to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for treatment.

Earlier today, Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi announced a compensation of Rs. 3 lakhs to the next of kin of each of the dead, Rs. 50,000 to those seriously injured and Rs. 20,000 to those with less grievous injuries.