Stampede at Religious Event in India Claims Up to 60 Lives

Rabat – According to converging media reports, up to 60 people have died today in a stampede during a religious gathering in the Hathras district, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.

The incident occurred at a satsang, a Hindu religious event, in the village of Mughal Garhi, where attendees had gathered to celebrate the Hindu deity, Shiva.

The stampede has left authorities scrambling to manage the aftermath and provide aid to the injured and families of the deceased.

“The (death toll) numbers may rise. People are being taken to hospitals in Hathras district and neighboring district of Etah,” Manish Chikara, Hathras district police spokesperson, told CNN.

The process of identifying the deceased is ongoing as families await news of their relatives.

The stampede reportedly broke out as participants were departing the event.

Ashish Kumar, the district magistrate of Hathras, affirmed to reporters that the stampede occurred during the exit phase of the gathering.

Details emerging from the scene suggest that the hurried exit from the venue aggravated the situation, resulting in tragic deaths and injuries.

Disturbing videos circulating on social media show bodies scattered outside nearby hospitals, highlighting the gravity of the incident.

On social media, State Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed immediate measures for relief and rescue operations.

“Instructions have been given to the concerned officials to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing and to provide proper treatment to the injured,” he posted on X.

He also assigned a team led by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) to oversee the response efforts and conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

Such tragedies are not uncommon in India, particularly during religious gatherings where large crowds gather in confined places with minimal adherence to safety protocols.