DHAKA: At least 18 people were killed in a stampede that broke out in the early hours of Saturday near the Malabar Hill residence of Dawoodi Bohra spiritual leader Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, who died on Friday morning, officials said.

According to the police and BMC Disaster Control officials, the stampede took place around 1.30 am when thousands of mourners converged near Saifee Mahal, where the Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin`s body was kept for people to pay their last respects.

Officials said that the cause of the sudden stampede is not clear yet, adding, at least 17 bodies were taken to Saifee Hospital and one to Cumballa Hill Hospital.

Around 20 people, who suffered injuries, were treated and discharged, while another three have been admitted for treatment, officials in the BMC Disaster Control said.

Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, spiritual head of the Dawoodi Bohra community, died following cardiac arrest on Friday. He was 102 and his funeral is scheduled later this morning in Bhendi Bazaar, south Mumbai.

Source: NDTV
BDST:  1025 HRS, JAN 18, 2014
RS