Four pilgrims killed in Andhra stampede

Vijayawada, July 14 (IANS) Four pilgrims were killed and eight injured in a stampede during Godavari pushkaralu in Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, officials said.

The tragedy occurred when a large number of pilgrims rushed towards one of the gates at Kotagummam pushkar ghat on the banks of Godavari river to take the holy dip.

Chaos prevailed at all the three gates at the ghat in Rajahmundry, a town in East Godavari district.

The bodies of victims, all women, were shifted to Rajahmundry government hospital. The injured were also brought to the hospital, where the condition of some of them is stated to be critical.

Tragedy struck couple of hours after Godavari pushkaralu began on Tuesday morning.

The 12-day pushkaralu, described as Kumbh mela of the south, began in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.