At least 116 people have died after panic broke out during a Hindu gathering in northern India.
The tragedy occurred after a large crowd had gathered for a prayer meeting with a local Hindu leader honoring the god Shiva outside the city of Hathras south of Delhi.
A temporary tent collapsed partially due to a sandstorm when the meeting was over, causing panic and many were trampled by other fleeing visitors. Others died or were injured when they fell into a deep ditch.
People started falling on top of each other, one after another. Those who fell far down died, they were pulled out by other visitors, says a witness, Shakuntala Devi, to Press Trust of India.
The death toll is feared to rise as at least 150 people were taken to hospital, in addition to those confirmed dead at the scene.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered economic assistance to the affected and Yogi Adityanath, the highest authority in the state of Uttar Pradesh, says he is investigating suspicions that the organizers allowed 15,000 spectators – three times as many visitors as they had permission for.
Deadly accidents are not uncommon during religious gatherings in India. In 2013, 115 people died when panic broke out after rumors that a bridge was about to collapse near a temple where 400,000 people had gathered.
