At least 12 pilgrims have been killed and 13 others injured in a stampede at the Mata Vishnu Devi temple in Indian-administered Kashmir.
According to the French news agency AFP, the authorities said that the incident took place on Saturday morning due to the rush of pilgrims in the temple of Goddess Mata Vishnu.
Authorities fear the death toll could rise.According to Indian TV channel NDTV, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself is monitoring the incident. A large number of pilgrims came to worship on New Year's Eve. The incident took place when the pilgrims were entering Vishnu Devi Bhavan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and said that he is deeply saddened over the deaths due to stampede in Mata Vishnu Devi Bhavan.
He has announced Rs 200,000 from the National Relief Fund for those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Lieutenant Governor of Indian-administered Kashmir Manoj Sinha said in a Twitter statement that he was deeply saddened by the loss of life caused by the stampede at the temple.
He said that he had briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has announced Rs 1 million for the families of the dead and Rs 200,000 for the injured.
The temple of Mata Vishu Devi is one of the important places of worship for Hindus. Every day thousands of people go to worship at the Matu Vishu Devi temple.
Mata Vishu Devi is open 24 hours a day. It is located in the Katra hills, 30 km from Jammu.
