10. Death by stampede
A wild rumour became the sole reason for the death of 42 people in Chennai on December 18.
The incident took place when 4,500 flood-affected people gathered outside a school from 3 am onwards to collect relief material.
A rumour rapidly spread that only 1,000 coupons would be distributed and the relief material would be disbursed on a first come basis.
Worse followed as a sudden downpour made the people run for cover, triggering a melee that led to the stampede.
In July, days after the Mumbai floods, a rumour that a tsunami was on its way killed 18 people in a stampede in a city slum.
