NEW DELHI, April 22 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and 10 others injured due to a stampede during a Hindu temple ceremony in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, police said Monday.
The stampede occurred near Thuraiyur in Tiruchirappalli, about 316 km south of Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu.
"Yesterday hundreds of people had gathered for the 'padikasu' (temple coin) distribution ceremony and a stampede broke out during a local temple festival here," a police official said.
"The ceremony was held as part of annual 'Chithira Pournami' festival, at the 'Karuppasamy' (a rural deity) temple in Muthiampalayam village."
According to police, the stampede happened when a priest started distributing the coins and devotees surged forward to collect them.
The official said the injured were immediately taken to the nearest medical facility and provided with treatment.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident.
They have announced monetary relief for the deceased as well as injured.
Local media reports quoted temple officials as saying there was no adequate security personnel to bring the situation under control.
