At least three people were killed after a stampede broke out on Saturday in Bihar’s Begusarai district during religious celebrations at Simaria Ghat, ANI reported. More than 10 people are reported to be injured in the incident.

However, Superintendent of Police (Begusarai) Aditya Kumar said the victims had died of suffocation while walking in crowd in a narrow lane. “The victims, all women, were more than 80 years old and were apparently very weak,” Kumar told Hindustan Times. “It appears they died of suffocation after being stuck on a narrow lane that was being used by a large number of pilgrims for going to and returning from the ghat.”

Sadar Deputy Superintendent of Police Mithilesh Kumar told PTI that they are investigating the cause behind the tragedy.

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced Rs 4 lakh in compensation for the families of those who lost their lives in the incident, ANI reported. He also asked authorities to provide free medical care to the injured.

Thousands of pilgrims had gathered at Simaria Ghat to take a holy dip in Ganga on the occasion of Kartik Purnima. Meanwhile, devotees in large numbers thronged the ghats in Haridwar and Varanasi on Saturday on the occasion.