Stampede kills 10 Hindu pilgrims in Bangladesh

DHAKA: At least 10 Hindu pilgrims, including seven women, were killed and several others injured today in a stampede during a holy bath in the Old Brahmaputra River outside Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.

"Most of the victims were aged over 50 years...Seven women were among the dead in the stampede during the 'Astami snan' at Langalbandh, Narayanganj," a police official said.

He said around 30 devotees were also injured and they were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

"The incident took place at around 9 AM when hundreds of people were trying to rush to the river from two adjacent ghats (terminals) from the narrow bank...most of the victims apparently died instantly," an eyewitness said.

Survivors complained that volunteers and police were inadequate in number to control the devotees, resulting in stampede.

Langalbandh, a Hindu holy site, is situated on the bank of the Old Brahmaputra close to the capital Dhaka. It draws thousands of devotees from Bangladesh, India and Nepal for the holy bath in the last week of March every year.