23 August,2019 01:05 PM IST | Kolkata | PTI
The injured were brought to the National Medical College. Pic/ANI Twitter handle
At least two persons were killed and over 20 injured in a stampede-like situation near a temple in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Friday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said.
She announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh to family members of those killed in the stampede-like situation near Kachua Loknath temple.
"There was a large crowd at Kachua Loknath temple this year. It started raining heavily in the wee hours and people tried to take shelter at makeshift bamboo stalls on the approach road to the temple. The bamboo structures collapsed after heavy rain.
Also Read: Janmashtami 2019: All you need to know about the festival
ALSO READ
West Bengal: Junior doctors' stir over RG Kar horror to continue despite SC direction
Kolkata doctor rape-murder: SC expresses concern over missing autopsy document
SC orders Bengal to provide accomodation, security equipment for CISF at RG Kar
Kolkata rape-murder case: West Bengal Health Department submits report in SC
Can of worms opened but lack of evidence affects CBI probe into case
"The place was narrow and in the rush, a few persons fell into the pond beside the temple and this created a confusion leading to a stampede-like situation there," the chief minister said.
Two persons have died, a few injured and among those two are in very critical condition, Banerjee, who rushed to the National Medical College and Hospital, where the injured were admitted, told reporters.
She said that the rescue operations are being carried out on the spot. Senior ministers have been sent to Barasat Hospital, RG Kar Medical College and a hospital at Basirhat. Rescue operations is the prime objective now. I'm personally monitoring the situation, Banerjee said. Family members of the critically injured would be given a compensation of Rs 1 lakh while others with minor injuries would get Rs 50,000.
Lakhs of people gather at Kochua Loknath temple every year on this day to celebrate the birth anniversary of Lokenath Brahmachari.
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever