A stampede at a religious gathering in India has killed more than 100 people and injured dozens more, marking one of the deadliest incidents of its kind in recent years. Officials are investigating the cause of the panic that triggered the stampede.
On a sweltering Tuesday morning in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, a religious gathering turned into a scene of unimaginable horror as a stampede erupted, claiming the lives of over 100 people. The makeshift tent, which had been packed with thousands of devotees attending an event hosted by a Hindu guru known as Bhole Baba, suddenly became a trap.
As panic swept through the crowd, people surged forward, desperately trying to escape the suffocating heat and crush of bodies. In the chaotic aftermath, at least 116 people, mostly women and children, were declared dead, according to Prashant Kumar, the director-general of police in Uttar Pradesh.
Horrific Stampede at Religious Gathering in India Claims Over 100 Lives
More than 80 others were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals, with some in critical condition. The sight of bodies lined up on stretchers and covered in white sheets outside a local hospital sent shockwaves through the community.
Initial reports suggest that the stampede was triggered by a combination of factors, including overcrowding and the unbearable heat inside the poorly ventilated tent. Police officer Rajesh Singh said there were likely more attendees than the 5,000 people for whom organizers had permission.
Horrific Stampede at Religious Gathering in India Claims Over 100 Lives
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the chaos that ensued. Shakuntala Devi, who witnessed the tragedy, told the Press Trust of India news agency, "People started falling one upon another, one upon another. Those who were crushed died. People there pulled them out."
Deadly stampedes are a recurring issue at religious gatherings in India, where large crowds often gather in inadequate infrastructure with insufficient safety measures. In 2013, a stampede at a Hindu festival in Madhya Pradesh claimed 115 lives, and in 2011, over 100 devotees died in a crush at a festival in Kerala.
This latest incident has sparked outrage and demands for accountability. Rajesh Kumar Jha, a member of parliament, blamed the state and federal governments for failing to manage the crowd and ensure safety protocols were followed. "People will keep on dying if authorities do not take safety protocols seriously enough," Jha said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured them of support from the federal government. Uttar Pradesh's chief minister, Yogi Adityanath, called the stampede "heart-wrenching" and ordered a thorough investigation.
As the investigation unfolds, questions linger about how such a deadly incident could have been prevented. Families mourn their loved ones while authorities grapple with the aftermath of this tragic event that has once again highlighted the need for improved safety measures at religious gatherings in India.
