West Bengal government has refuted a media report that 6 people have died in a boat tragedy that took place on the last day of the Ganga Sagar Mela in South 24 Pargana District late last evening.

State minister for urban development Mr. Firhad Hakeem told news persons deaths have occurred due to extreme cold and not due to any mishap or stampede as reported in some sections of the media.

He also expressed annoyance at the Prime ministers office granting ex-gratia payments to the next of killed of those killed or injured, without taking the state govt into confidence and without inquiring into the matter.

In media reports, it is claimed that at least six pilgrims including a woman died and 15 others injured in a stampede in Gangasagar Mela.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed sadness over the loss of lives in West Bengal stampede. He has sanctioned an ex-gratia of two lakh rupees each to the next of kin of those died in a stampede in West Bengal. Those injured will also be given 50 thousand rupees each.

In series of tweets, Mr. Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident saying his thoughts are with the families of the deceased. He also prayed for quick recovery of those injured in the stampede.

The boat tragedy took place on the last day of the Ganga Sagar Mela in South 24 Pargana District of West Bengal late last evening. The ill fated boat was crossing river Ganga on way back from the Kapil Muni Ashram which lies at the confluence of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal, when the boat carrying mainly pilgrims from Bihar tried to dock with a passenger vessel.

Our correspondent reports that in the rush to get to the vessel from the boat six people are feared killed due to the stampede and 15 others are reported to be under treatment in a local hospital.