President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday expressed profound grief and shock over the loss of lives in the stampede near a temple at Ratangarh in Datia district of Madhya Pradesh.

The President called upon the authorities concerned to provide all possible help to the bereaved families and medical assistance to the injured, an official release said.

89 people, including 31 women and 17 children, were killed and over 100 injured in the stampede during Navratri festivities after rumours that a bridge the devotees were crossing near the temple was about to collapse.