The Hindu : Front Page : Temple stairs cave in; three feared killed, 250 trapped

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Monday, Aug 11, 2008
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Temple stairs cave in; three feared killed, 250 trapped

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: Three pilgrims were feared killed and about 250 stranded at the popular Geparnath pilgrim centre in a valley along the Chambal river, situated 25 km away from Kota in Rajasthan, on Sunday when the stairs leading to the temple caved in.

The Army was called in to assist in the rescue operations in the evening. According to the district administration, several pilgrims were injured while about 250 were trapped on the way leading to the temple of Lord Shiva at the depth of 60 feet in the valley.

The stairs at the pilgrim centre – also popular as a picnic spot – collapsed apparently under pressure of the large number of people visiting the place amid the drizzle on the holiday. The district administration was trying to confirm the death of three pilgrims till on Saunday night.

District Public Relations Officer P.K. Singhal told The Hindu over telephone that some of the pilgrims used an alternative walkway to come out of the valley with a great difficulty. However, about 250 others were still stranded and the efforts to rescue them were in full swing.

The Geparnath shrine is situated in the Darra wildlife sanctuary on the road leading to Rawatbhata town famous for the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station.

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