In a tragic incident, at least twenty people are reported to have died when a makeshift bridge collapsed during the Chhath festivities in Patna.
The Chhath puja, in which the Sun God is worshipped, is one of the biggest religious festivals of Bihar. Chhath is celebrated six days after Diwali.
As per initial reports there are nine children among those dead. The bridge was at Adalat Ganj area of the city. The incident happened when the bridge made of bamboo collapsed due to heavy rush and a stampede occurred thereafter.
The Patna SP while talking to the media confirmed that fourteen had died in the mishap.
Those dead and injured were rushed to the nearby Patna Medical College Hospital. It is feared that the number of those killed may go up.
There are also many who are said to be missing as of now, mostly children.
In Patna, fasting men and women thronged the ghats on the bank of Ganga and stood in waist-deep water to offer prayers to the setting Sun to seek blessings for their families.