New Delhi: A tsunami rumour triggered panic at the Christian pilgrim centre, Basilica shrine in Tamil Nadu where thousands of people had arrived to offer Easter prayers on Friday.
The police said some "anti-social elements" spread the rumour that a possible tsunami was to strike the coast any time. A large number of devotees had arrived on Good Friday at Vailankanni Basilica church to attend the prayers at the famous shrine.
The rumour soon spread and pilgrims who were staying in lodges, cottages and other shelters went into a panic remembering the ravages of the December 2004 tsunami, which claimed several lives in the area, police said.
Police and Revenue officials used public address systems to announce that the rumour was spread by anti-social elements and thieves, who wanted to take advantage of the situation.
The nearby Nagapattinam bus station witnessed an unusual crowd today as hundreds of visitors to Velankanni decided to return home following the rumour.
With inputs from PTI
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