3 killed, over 20 injured in stampede-like situation near WB

At least three persons were killed and over 20 injured in a stampede-like situation near a temple in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Friday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said.

The mishap took place around 2.15 am near Kachua Loknath temple at Kachua, 50 km from here.

Lakhs of people gather at the temple every year on this day to celebrate the birth anniversary of Baba Lokenath Brahmachari, an 18th century Bengali saint, who has followers in West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Banerjee, who rushed to National Medical College and Hospital here, where the injured were admitted, told reporters, "There was a large crowd at Kachua Loknath temple this year. It started raining heavily in the wee hours and people tried to take shelter at makeshift bamboo stalls on the approach road to the temple. The bamboo structures collapsed after heavy rain.

"The place was narrow and in the rush, a few people fell into the pond beside the temple and this created a confusion leading to a stampede-like situation there."