Riot at overcrowded temple leaves dead in India

A crowd at an overcrowded temple in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh killed at least nine people in the early hours of today, according to government officials, and left several injured.

The incident occurred as worshipers thronged the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Srikakulam city on Ekadashi, a day Hindus consider important, said Pawan Kalyan, deputy chief minister of the state.

“An inquiry will be conducted into the tragic incident,” Kalyan said in a statement, adding that the temple was privately run. He put the death toll at nine.