At least 50 individuals lost their lives at a Hindu religious gathering in northern India, with fears that the casualty count could rise, according to government reports on Tuesday.
Local authorities indicated that doctors had confirmed “about 50 to 60 people” dead, although a local station reported the toll as 87 and rising.
The tragic incident occurred near Hathras, approximately 140 kilometers southeast of New Delhi, during a sermon by a religious preacher that drew a large crowd.
“We have received 27 bodies so far,” stated Ram Mohan Tiwari, a senior medical officer in Uttar Pradesh state. “It’s challenging to provide an exact figure as bodies are still being brought in. We do not yet have the count of the injured.”
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the congregation dispersed after the sermon ended.
“When the sermon finished, everyone started rushing out,” recounted Shakuntala, speaking to the Press Trust of India. “People fell into a drain by the roadside. They began piling on top of each other and were crushed to death.”
Umesh Kumar Tripathi, the local chief medical officer, reported that most of the deceased were women. “Many injured individuals have also been admitted,” he added.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims. His office posted on social media, “He has instructed district officials to ensure prompt transportation of the injured to hospitals for proper treatment and to expedite relief efforts at the scene.”
An investigation into the cause of the incident has been initiated, as religious gatherings in India have a history of tragic incidents due to inadequate crowd management and safety oversights.
In a past tragic incident, at least 112 people lost their lives in 2016 following a massive explosion caused by a banned fireworks display at a temple during Hindu New Year celebrations.
