New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee Saturday condoled the loss of lives in the stampede, after the burning of the Ravana effigy, in Patna Friday and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

In his message to Bihar governor D.Y. Patil, the president said: "I am saddened to learn about the accident in which a number of persons have lost their lives and some were injured during the stampede in Dussehra celebrations."