Tragedy in India: Stampede at religious gathering leaves at least 97 dead

At least 97 dead in stampede at religious event in northern India

At least 97 people died in a crush during a Hindu religious rally in northern India, NDTV reported on Tuesday.

“We have confirmed nearly 100 deaths so far and we are concentrating on providing relief and medical assistance to the victims,” Chaitra V., divisional commissioner of Aligarh city in Uttar Pradesh state, told AFP.

Hospital director Umesh Kumar Tripathi added that they had received “many injured” from the incident, which authorities said was already under investigation.

Government official Ashish Kumar told The Associated Press that at least 60 bodies had arrived at district morgues. But the number quickly rose to nearly 90, he said.

Police officer Rajeesh Singh said overcrowding may have been a factor. Initial reports indicate that more than 15,000 people gathered at the event, which was authorized to hold only 5,000.

Police trying to organize the incident area.

The stampede occurred as attendees rushed to leave an event with the religious leader, Bhole Baba, local media reported. The event was a religious ceremony known as ‘satsang’, according to Tripathi, usually organized by a guru for collective prayer.

According to a witness quoted by the Indian news agency PTI, the stampede occurred at the end of the ceremony when people began to leave the premises and several of them tripped over a ditch located before the road, which caused a chain fall.

One of the survivors, named Jyoti, told local media that the stampede occurred immediately following the event ended. “Everyone was in a hurry to get out… There was no way out and people were falling on top of each other,” she said.

Images released by the Indian news agency PTI show authorities transporting the bodies in a van to the hospital.

Police told the Press Trust of India news agency that the stampede was due to overcrowding, but did not specify how many people were taking part.

Women crying for the loss of their loved ones.

Indian news website NDTV said that among the dead were three children and more than 20 women.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday expressed condolences over the incident and ordered the formation of a committee to investigate it.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed his condolences from the Indian Parliament, where he was making a lengthy speech when he was informed of the accident.

“I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in this accident. I wish a speedy recovery to all the injured. The administration is engaged in rescue and relief work under the supervision of the state government,” said the Hindu nationalist leader.

The incident occurred regarding 350 kilometres (217 miles) southwest of the state capital, Lucknow.

The entrance to the place where the tragedy occurred.

Stampedes and crowds are a frequent occurrence at Indian religious celebrations and are largely due to poor management of mass gatherings or the poor infrastructure surrounding places of worship.

The worst tragedy in recent years occurred in January 2011 in the southern state of Kerala, where 102 faithful lost their lives in a wooded and mountainous area that led to a temple that was difficult to access.

(with information from AFP, EFE and AP)

At Least 97 Dead in Stampede at Religious Event in Northern India

A tragic stampede during a Hindu religious rally in northern India has resulted in the deaths of at least 97 people, according to NDTV reports on Tuesday. The incident occurred at an event organized by the religious leader Bhole Baba, known as a ‘satsang’, a gathering for collective prayer.

Overcrowding a Major Factor in the Stampede

Authorities are investigating the cause of the stampede, with initial reports pointing to overcrowding as a major factor. The event, which was authorized for a maximum of 5,000 attendees, drew an estimated crowd of over 15,000 people, according to police officer Rajeesh Singh. The incident occurred as attendees rushed to leave the event, with witnesses describing a chaotic scene.

Witnesses Describe the Chaotic Scene

One witness, Jyoti, told local media that the stampede erupted immediately following the event concluded. “Everyone was in a hurry to get out… There was no way out, and people were falling on top of each other,” she said. Another witness, quoted by the Indian news agency PTI, stated that several people tripped over a ditch located near the road exit, triggering a chain reaction that quickly spiraled out of control.

Hospitals Overwhelmed with Casualties

The stampede left numerous injured, overwhelming local hospitals. Hospital director Umesh Kumar Tripathi confirmed that they had received “many injured” from the incident. The number of casualties quickly rose to nearly 90, with at least 60 bodies arriving at district morgues, according to government official Ashish Kumar.

Authorities Respond to the Tragedy

Following the incident, authorities have launched an investigation and are providing relief and medical assistance to the victims. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences and ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the tragedy. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences from the Indian Parliament, stating, “I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in this accident. I wish a speedy recovery to all the injured. The administration is engaged in rescue and relief work under the supervision of the state government.”

Tragedy Highlights Safety Concerns at Religious Gatherings

The stampede underscores the ongoing safety concerns at religious celebrations in India, often plagued by overcrowding and inadequate infrastructure. The worst tragedy in recent years occurred in January 2011 in Kerala, where 102 devotees lost their lives in a stampede at a temple. The heartbreaking incident in Uttar Pradesh serves as a stark reminder of the need for improved crowd management and safety protocols at religious gatherings to prevent future tragedies.

Key Takeaways

• The stampede at the Hindu religious rally claimed the lives of at least 97 people and injured many others.
• Overcrowding, with an estimated 15,000 attendees exceeding the authorized limit of 5,000, is believed to be a major contributing factor.
• Witnesses described a chaotic scene with people rushing to exit the event, resulting in a chain reaction of falls.
• Authorities have initiated an investigation, provided medical assistance, and expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
• The tragedy highlights the ongoing safety concerns at religious gatherings in India, stressing the need for improved crowd management and infrastructure.

Table of Key Facts

Fact	Details
Location	Northern India, Uttar Pradesh state
Event	Hindu religious rally organized by religious leader Bhole Baba
Attendees	Over 15,000 (exceeding the authorized limit of 5,000)
Casualties	At least 97 deaths, numerous injuries
Investigation	Underway, with overcrowding as a potential factor

Keywords

* Religious stampede
* India
* Uttar Pradesh
* Hindu rally
* Bhole Baba
* Satsang
* Overcrowding
* Safety concerns
* Crowd management
* Religious gatherings
* Tragedy
* Casualties
* Investigation
* Relief efforts
* Condolences
* Prime Minister Narendra Modi
* Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath