A stampede at a religious gathering in northern India has resulted in the deaths of at least 116 people.

 A tragic incident occurred at a religious gathering in northern India, where a stampede led to the deaths of at least 116 people and left dozens injured. Women and children were reported to be among the dead.

 

The stampede took place at a makeshift tent where thousands had gathered to hear Hindu leader Bhole Baba. According to local media, the chaos erupted as attendees rushed to exit the tent following the event. Authorities suggested that heat and suffocation inside the crowded space might have triggered the sudden stampede. Video footage from the aftermath showed the tent structure had collapsed, further contributing to the mayhem.

Rajesh Singh, a local police officer, indicated that overcrowding was likely a significant factor in the tragedy. The event, held in a village in the Hathras district, had an estimated attendance of over 15,000 people, despite only having permission to host around 5,000.

 

Bodies were transported to hospitals and morgues using trucks and private vehicles, as reported by government official Matadin Saroj. The response from local authorities was swift but the scale of the disaster posed significant challenges.

 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the affected families, stating, "I wish a speedy recovery to all the injured. The administration, under the supervision of the state government, is carrying out rescue and relief operations. Senior officials of the central government are in continuous communication with the state government of Uttar Pradesh. Through this house, I assure everyone that the victims will be provided all help."

 

Deadly stampedes are not uncommon in India, particularly during religious festivals. Large crowds often gather in areas with inadequate infrastructure and limited safety measures, leading to such devastating incidents.