20 from Karnataka among Sabarimala victims

BANGALORE - At least 20 people from Karnataka are among the over 100 pilgrims who died in a stampede near Kerala’s Sabarimala temple, officials here said Saturday.

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa announced Rs.100,000 compensation to the next of kin of each killed in the stampede and Rs.25,000 for every injured person, an official spokesperson said.

“The exact number of dead is still not known as several bodies are yet to be identified,” he told IANS.

About 25 people from the state have been injured, he said.

Two teams led by ministers Shobha Karandlaje and Umesh Katti have been sent to the stampede site to help transport the bodies and make arrangements to shift the injured to their places or to hospitals in the state, he said.