- At least 27 people have tragically lost their lives
- The incident occurred during a satsang
- One clip reportedly shows several bodies
At least 27 people, primarily women and children, have tragically lost their lives in a stampede at a religious event in northern India.
The incident occurred during a satsang, a Hindu religious gathering, held in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh. Officials are still working to identify the victims.
The cause of the stampede remains unclear. A police source suggests the death toll may rise.
The gathering, held in Mughalgarhi village, was dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. News outlets like PTI have shared footage of the injured receiving medical attention.
“Investigations are ongoing, and autopsies are being performed,” stated Satya Prakash, an official from the neighboring district of Etah.
Disturbing visuals from the scene are circulating online. Some videos show injured individuals being transported to hospitals in improvised ways, including pick-up trucks, tuk-tuks, and even motorbikes. One clip reportedly shows several bodies left outside a local hospital as distraught relatives plead for help.
Large crowds gathering in confined spaces with limited safety measures are a recurring concern at religious events in India. This vulnerability has resulted in previous tragedies, such as the 2018 train incident during Dusshera celebrations that claimed over 60 lives, and the 2013 stampede at a Madhya Pradesh festival that killed 115 people.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of implementing safety protocols at such events to prevent future catastrophes.
