Over 100 dead during Hindu gathering

At least 116 people have died after panic broke out during a Hindu gathering in northern India.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: July 02 2024

Over 100 dead during Hindu gathering
Photo: Manoj Aligadi/AP/TT

Share this article

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.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Lisbon Funicular Derailment: At Least 3 Dead, 20 Injured
1 MIN READ

Lisbon Funicular Derailment: At Least 3 Dead, 20 Injured

Airborne Emergency Aid to Gaza Halted Due to Israeli Obstacles
1 MIN READ

Airborne Emergency Aid to Gaza Halted Due to Israeli Obstacles

UN: 21,000 Gaza Children Suffer Permanent War Injuries
1 MIN READ

UN: 21,000 Gaza Children Suffer Permanent War Injuries

Nazi Daughter Under House Arrest in Argentina Over Stolen Painting
2 MIN READ

Nazi Daughter Under House Arrest in Argentina Over Stolen Painting

Zelenskyj and Trump to Discuss Ukraine-Russia Tensions Tomorrow
2 MIN READ

Zelenskyj and Trump to Discuss Ukraine-Russia Tensions Tomorrow

UN Reports North Korea's Experiments on People with Disabilities
1 MIN READ

UN Reports North Korea's Experiments on People with Disabilities

Putin Open to Meeting Zelensky in Moscow
1 MIN READ

Putin Open to Meeting Zelensky in Moscow

EU Proposes Doubling Support for Greenland in New Budget
1 MIN READ

EU Proposes Doubling Support for Greenland in New Budget

EU Court Approves New Data Transfer Agreement with USA
1 MIN READ

EU Court Approves New Data Transfer Agreement with USA

Over a Million Evacuated in Pakistan's Punjab Province Due to Floods
1 MIN READ

Over a Million Evacuated in Pakistan's Punjab Province Due to Floods

Ukrainian Military Factory to Be Built in Denmark for the First Time
1 MIN READ

Ukrainian Military Factory to Be Built in Denmark for the First Time

Kim Jong-Un's Daughter Kim Ju-Ae Steps into Global Spotlight
3 MIN READ

Kim Jong-Un's Daughter Kim Ju-Ae Steps into Global Spotlight

UAE Warns Israel: West Bank Annexation is a Red Line
2 MIN READ

UAE Warns Israel: West Bank Annexation is a Red Line

Norway's Høyre Faces Lowest Poll Numbers in 15 Years Before Election
2 MIN READ

Norway's Høyre Faces Lowest Poll Numbers in 15 Years Before Election

Kristersson Signals Strong European Support for Ukraine to the USA
3 MIN READ

Kristersson Signals Strong European Support for Ukraine to the USA

Five Children Killed in Israeli Strike While Fetching Water in Gaza
1 MIN READ

Five Children Killed in Israeli Strike While Fetching Water in Gaza

Putin and Kim Discuss Ukraine War in Beijing Meeting
1 MIN READ

Putin and Kim Discuss Ukraine War in Beijing Meeting

China's Role in Emerging Global Order: Xi Jinping's Vision
3 MIN READ

China's Role in Emerging Global Order: Xi Jinping's Vision

Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Calls for Parliament Dissolution
1 MIN READ

Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Calls for Parliament Dissolution

France Returns Skulls to Madagascar After 128 Years
1 MIN READ

France Returns Skulls to Madagascar After 128 Years