PM Modi pained at loss of lives in Rajahmundry stampede

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed grief over the loss of lives in the stampede on the banks of River Godavari in Andhra Pradesh on the first day of 'Pushkaram' festival.

Modi said he spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and discussed the situation with him.

"Deeply pained at the loss of lives due to stampede at Rajahmundry. My condolences to the families of the deceased & prayers with the injured," he tweeted.

Deeply pained at the loss of lives due to stampede at Rajahmundry. My condolences to the families of the deceased & prayers with the injured

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2015

"Spoke to CM @ncbn & discussed the situation with him. The State Government is working to restore normalcy," he said.

13 pilgrims were killed when a stampede broke out at Pushkar ghat on the banks of Godavari river on the first day of 'Pushkaram' festival today.

The incident occurred when a large number of people were moving forward to take a holy dip in the river.

'Godavari 'Pushkaram' is the once in 144-year event dedicated to worshipping rivers in the two states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.