At least five girls have been killed in a stampede at a state-run school in a crowded area of the Indian capital, Delhi.



The police say the stampede also left 24 students injured.



Doctors say five of them are in a critical condition.



Officials say the stampede took place when a group of girl students, who tried to run down a narrow staircase, collided into a group of boys going up.



Earlier reports said the stampede was sparked by rumours that electric current had entered water due to a short-circuit.



The school is waterlogged following a night of heavy rains in Delhi.



The state authorities have ordered an inquiry into the incident.