NEW DELHI, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- At least three persons have been killed and more than 10 others injured in a stampede in eastern Indian state of Bihar Saturday, police said.
"The stampede broke out this morning at Simaria Ghat (bathing spot) on the banks of the river Ganges in the state's Begusarai district, where hundreds of devotees had gathered to take a holy dip on the occasion of Hindu festival of Kartik Purnima," a police official said.
While three persons died on the spot, those injured have been rushed to a nearby government hospital by local residents, the official said, adding, "some of the injured are said to be in critical condition and may be shifted to a hospital in state capital Patna."
Local TV channels showed footage of the crowded bathing spot where the incident took place and reported that a rumor led to a stampede.
Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed grief over the incident and also announced a compensation of 400,000 rupees (6,000 U.S. dollars) each to the families of those killed in the stampede at Simaria Ghat.
"A probe has been ordered into the incident," the official said.
Kartik Purnima is an auspicious day for Hindus and celebrated on the 15th lunar day in the month of Kartik (according to Hindu calendar) with much gusto in several parts of India.
