At least 60 people have perished in a tragic stampede at a religious gathering in northern India, with many more injured, according to officials. The catastrophic event took place in a village within Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh, approximately 350 kilometers southwest of Lucknow, the state capital.
The stampede occurred late Tuesday under a makeshift tent after an event featuring the Hindu figure Bhole Baba. The attendees, who numbered around 15,000 despite permission for only 5,000, rushed to exit the tent, leading to chaos and collapse. The structure gave way under the pressure of the overcrowded space, resulting in numerous casualties and a heart-wrenching scene of distress as individuals tried to escape.
Witnesses described a terrifying pile-up of people, leading to fatal injuries for many caught in the crush. Following the incident, bodies were transported to local hospitals and morgues using trucks and private vehicles, highlighting the scale of the tragedy.
Medical official Umesh Tripathi reported that more than 150 people were admitted to hospitals for treatment, underscoring the severity of the incident. The local government has been actively involved in the response, with officials confirming the numbers of deceased and injured.
This disaster is part of a disturbing pattern of deadly stampedes at religious festivals in India, which often see vast numbers of devotees gather in areas with inadequate infrastructure and minimal safety measures. Previous incidents include a 2013 stampede in Madhya Pradesh where over 115 people died amid fears of a bridge collapse, and a 2011 tragedy in Kerala where more than 100 were killed at a festival.
Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, has expressed profound sorrow over the incident and has called for a thorough investigation into the factors leading to such a high casualty rate. The inquiry aims to determine the cause of the stampede and to identify measures that could prevent such incidents in the future.
The frequency and severity of these tragedies have raised questions about safety standards and crowd management practices at public gatherings in India, particularly religious events which draw large crowds. There is an increasing call for the implementation of stricter safety protocols and better planning to ensure the safety of attendees at such large-scale events.
The community and families affected by the stampede are receiving support from local authorities and emergency services as they deal with the aftermath of this devastating event. The nation mourns the loss of life and the continued risk posed by large public gatherings without adequate safety measures.
