At least six Hindu worshippers killed in stampede in India

At least six Hindu worshippers killed in stampede in India

Police say at least six Hindu worshippers have died in a stampede in eastern India as a crowd of pilgrims rushed toward the statue of a goddess.

More than 1 million Hindu devotees were participating in an annual religious procession outside the temple of Jagannath, who is considered by Hindus to be the lord of the universe. The temple is in Puri, a town 40 miles (60 kilometers) southwest of Bhubaneshwar, the capital of Orissa state.

Police inspector J. K. Panda says the stampede occurred Friday as the worshippers pressed forward to touch the statue of the goddess Subhadra, which was being carried in a chariot.

Panda said 11 people have been hospitalized and two of them are in critical condition.

Panda said temple rituals continued after the stampede.