July 2, 2024 — At least 27 people were crushed to death and many more injured at a Hindu religious gathering in northern India on Tuesday, with fears that the death toll could rise as more bodies are recovered, according to government medics.
The tragedy occurred during a sermon by a religious preacher in the city of Hathras, located approximately 140 kilometres (90 miles) southeast of New Delhi.
The incident unfolded when a large crowd of devotees began to leave the sermon. Witnesses reported that chaos ensued as people rushed to exit, causing many to fall into a drain by the side of the road. The resulting crush led to the deaths of numerous individuals.
“We have received 27 bodies so far,” said Ram Mohan Tiwari, a senior medical officer from Uttar Pradesh state. “It’s very hard to say the exact figure, as bodies are still coming. We do not have the number of injured.”
Local reports and witnesses confirmed that the stampede occurred as the crowd dispersed, leading to a tragic scene of people falling over one another and being crushed.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and has instructed district administration officials to expedite relief efforts. The Chief Minister’s office announced on social media platform X that an investigation into the cause of the stampede has been ordered.
“He has directed the district administration officials to immediately take the injured to the hospital for their proper treatment and to speed up the relief work at the spot,” Adityanath’s office stated.
Historical Context of Religious Gatherings in India
Deadly incidents at religious gatherings in India are not uncommon. Past tragedies include:
- 2016: At least 112 people died in a temple explosion in Kerala state caused by a banned fireworks display during the Hindu New Year celebrations.
- 2013: A stampede near a temple in Madhya Pradesh claimed the lives of 115 devotees, triggered by a rumour that a bridge was collapsing.
- 2008: A stampede at a hilltop temple in Jodhpur resulted in the deaths of approximately 224 pilgrims, with over 400 others injured.
The Uttar Pradesh government is currently investigating the incident to determine the causes of the stampede and prevent future occurrences of similar tragedies.
