Stampede at Religious Gathering in India

A tragic incident occurred at a religious gathering in northern India, resulting in the death of at least 116 people and leaving many others injured. The stampede took place during a gathering of thousands of attendees following an event with Hindu leader, Bhole Baba, in a makeshift tent.

Local reports suggest that the stampede was triggered when the crowd rushed to exit the tent, leading to chaos and overcrowding. Authorities believe that heat and suffocation inside the tent may have contributed to the sudden stampede, with video footage showing the collapsed structure in the aftermath.

The event, held in a village in the Hathras district, was reportedly attended by over 15,000 people, surpassing the permitted capacity of around 5,000. As a result, the situation escalated quickly, resulting in the tragic loss of lives and injuries.

Efforts are underway to transport the deceased to hospitals and morgues using trucks and private vehicles, as confirmed by government official Matadin Saroj. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims and their families, assuring that the injured would receive necessary medical attention and support.

Deadly stampedes are unfortunately not uncommon during religious festivals in India, where inadequate infrastructure and safety measures combined with large crowds often lead to such tragic incidents.