The authorities in Ukraine say four children have been killed in a stampede at a cinema.

The incident took place in the western Ukrainian town of Chervonohrad between showings of the film Armageddon; one group of children was leaving as others tried to get to the next viewing.

The children were crushed in a narrow corridor during violent pushing and shoving.

The three boys and a girl who died were aged eleven and thirteen; six others were seriously injured.

President Leonid Kuchma has ordered an inquiry.