印度宗教庆典发生踩踏事故至少36人丧生

Indian officials say a stampede Sunday during a religious holiday has killed at least 36 people.  Most of the victims are women.

Officials say the stampede broke out when pilgrims were heading home from the festival that attracted millions of people in the northern city of Allahabad.

The city's train station collapsed under the weight of pilgrims using the railway, causing crowds to panic.  Officials say dozens of people were injured in the incident.

More than 30 million people gathered Sunday to plunge into the waters at the confluence of India's Ganges and Yamuna rivers.  It is the most auspicious day of the Hindu festival, Kumbh Mela, which is held every 12 years.  Devotees believe that entering the mighty rivers cleanses them of sin and frees them of the cycle of birth and rebirth.