40 Die in India Temple Fire

Nearly all of the 40 people who died Saturday in a temple fire in India have been identified, according to Indian officials. Many of the dead were trampled as worshipers fled the temple.

When the fire broke out, the temple was crowded because of a celebration to be held on Sunday. "I was standing inside the complex when a child and woman were caught in the stampede," said a guard who was on duty at the time. "I tried to pull them out but the child died. Fortunately I managed to save the woman," the guard said in an interview with The Hindu.

Many people were trampled to death after tripping on bamboo sticks or urns, while others were suffocated in the rush to the exit.

The Indian Press agency said Brihadeeswara -- the "Big Temple" -- was built in the 11th Century by the Hindu king Rajaraja Chola. It contains many rare paintings and stone inscriptions and its 216-foot temple tower is believed to be the tallest in Asia.