27 Pilgrims, Mostly Women, Killed in Stampede in Andhra Pradesh

At least 27 people, mostly women, were killed and several others injured in a stampede on the banks of the River Godavari in Andhra Pradesh on the first day of a major religious festival.

At least 27 pilgrims, most of them women, died on Tuesday morning after a stampede broke out at the banks of River Godavari in Andhra Pradesh on the first day of the religious festival Godavari maha pushkaralu. (AFP Photo)

25 others were injured in the stampede. They were taken to the Rajahmundry government hospital where the condition of some of them was stated to be critical. (AFP photo)
A sea of pilgrims at the ghat rushed towards the three gates and tried to scale them, leading to the stampede, said officials. The pilgrims coming out after a dip and those trying to reach the ghat were caught in the rush at the gates. (AFP photo)
The Godavari maha pushkaralu, a once in 144-year event, began on Tuesday morning. The 12-day pushkaralu, described as the Kumbh mela of the south, began in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. (AP photo)