PM Manmohan Singh condole loss of lives in MP temple tragedy

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday condoled the loss of lives in a stampede at a temple in Madhya Pradesh.

"On this day of festivities, our hearts and prayers are with the victims and their families," Singh said in his message to the families who have lost their kin in the stampede near the Durga temple at Ratangarh in Datia district. In her message, Gandhi expressed "shock and deep anguish" over the tragic incident. She extended her condolences to the families who have lost their kin and expressed the hope that the injured are being attended to suitably. 89 people, including 31 women and 17 children, were today killed and over 100 injured in the stampede during Navratri festivities after rumours that a bridge the devotees were crossing was about to collapse. Unconfirmed reports said the stampede took place as some people tried to jump the queue and police used batons to control them.