President Xi Jinping has instructed the government of Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region to probe the cause of a human stampede that left at least 14 people dead, and to assist the injured promptly.

The stampede occurred at about 1 pm on Sunday as traditional religious food was being handed out to a large crowd at an event commemorating a religious figure at a mosque in Xiji, a county in Guyuan.

At least 10 people were injured, including four who are in critical condition, Xinhua News Agency reported on Monday.