At least seven pilgrims were killed and 12 others injured in a stampede in West Bengal’s Gangasagar island. People had gathered at the fair, organised on the occasion of Makar Sankranti (Pongal in South India).

The dead included six women and a child. The injured were immediately rushed to the hospital. Some of them are said to be in a critical condition.

The incident occured when a large number of pilgrims tried to board a boat at Kakdwip. They pushed each other and fell on the way, resulting in a stampede. At least 400,000 pilgrims had gathered to take a holy dip in Gangasagar island.