9 killed, 12 injured in Indian temple stampede

PATNA, India (AP) -- Police say a stampede at a temple in eastern India has killed at least nine people and injured 12 others.

A senior police officer in the Deogarh district of Jharkhand state says the stampede occurred early Monday morning as tens of thousands of devotees gathered to celebrate the birth anniversary of a revered local Hindu religious leader. The officer, Subodh Prasad, had few other details but says all but one of those killed were women.

Prasad says the temple is part of a sprawling ashram or religious compound that honors Sant Thakur Anukul Chand.

The area is about 235 kilometers (145 miles) north of Jharkhand's capital, Ranchi.

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