Toll rises to 111 in Madhya Pradesh temple stampede

The toll in a horrific stampede at a Durga temple in Madhya Pradesh Sunday rose to 111, including 47 women and 33 children, a government official said Monday.

The casualties might increase as rescue teams were searching for bodies in the the river (Sindh), he added.

Most of the victims were crushed by a throng of pilgrims who began to flee a bridge over the river following a rumour that it was collapsing.

Tens of thousands had gathered on the last day of Navaratri festival at Ratangarh temple, located in a forested part of Datia district, 390 km north of the state capital and 55 km from Datia town.