EDIT CONTAINS 4:3 MATERIAL<br/> <br />At least 36 Hindu pilgrims are now confirmed dead after a stampede at a railroad station in Allahabad India where the world's largest religious gathering is taking place.<br/> <br />According to government officials, a handrail on a footbridge broke. The rush of people slipping down the steps started a stampede.<br/> <br />But railway officials say the stampede happened because police using batons caused crowds to panic.<br/> <br />Of those who were crushed to death, 27 were elderly women, one was an eight year old girl. Nearly 40 others were injured and are being treated in hospital.<br/> <br />The two month long Kumbh Mela festival is held every three years in one of four Indian cities.<br/> <br />The gathering in Allahabad, which is considered the holiest city, is expected to draw some 100 million people.
