India: 87 People Confirmed Dead In Stampede At Religious Event

A stampede which occurred during the religious celebration of Shiva Deity in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh has led to the death of at least 87 people, according to a CNN report.

Officials confirmed on Tuesday that the incident happened at a prayer meeting, known as satsang, in the Mughal Garhi village in the Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh.

While the numbers may rise, the police have confirmed at least 60 people dead in the district of Hathras.

Other 27 people were confirmed dead in the neighbouring Etah district after being brought to Etah hospital.

The numbers may rise. People are being taken to hospitals in Hathras district and the neighbouring district of Etah,” Manish Chikara, Hathras district police spokesperson, told CNN.

Following reports, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, expressed condolences in the lower house of India’s bicameral parliament known as the Lok Sabha.

The government is engaged in relief and rescue work and is coordinating with the state government to help the victims in every way,” he said.

Speaking to reporters, Ashish Kumar, the district magistrate of Hathras, said the stampede happened as people were leaving the event, which was held to celebrate the Hindu deity Shiva.

She added that a “newly formed high-level” committee would investigate the incident.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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