27 killed in stampede during religious event in India

At least 27 people have been confirmed dead following a stampede at a religious gathering in India. 

According to local authorities, the incident happened at Satsang, a Hindu religious event, which held in Pulrai village close to Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

The stampede began as worshippers rushed to leave the event with the religious leader.

Umesh Tripathi, chief medical officer (CMO) of Etah, said the victims include 25 women and two men.

“Police are carrying out their proceedings, and our team is ready to conduct post-mortem after they are done,” he said.

More than 150 people were rushed to hospitals, with authorities saying the number of casualties may rise.

There are reports that overcrowding could be responsible. The total number of worshippers is yet to be confirmed.

Stampedes are not uncommon at large gatherings in India. The incidents are often caused by cramming multitudes into small event centres.

In November 2023, at least four students were killed in a stampede that occurred during a music festival at Cochin University of Science and Technology in Kerala.