NEW DELHI - At least three persons were killed and more than 20 others injured in a stampede which broke out during celebrations of a Hindu festival in the eastern Indian state of Bihar in the early hours of Wednesday, a senior police officer said.

"The incident happened following rumors of a fire when hundreds of people were watching a dance show at a fair during the celebrations, which forced people to run haywire leading to the stampede. While three persons died on the spot, those injured have been admitted to a local hospital," he said, on condition of anonymity.

A probe has been ordered into the incident, the police officer added.