Over 100 killed in stampede at religious gathering

At least 121 people are believed to have been killed in India’s Uttar Pradesh, during a stampede which broke out at a religious event on Tuesday. Thousands of people had attended a sermon delivered by Hindu preacher Bhole Baba, and problems began when, according to one survivor, ‘everyone tried to leave at once.’ This led to apparent overheating and suffocation among the crowd, which led to a panic and the resulting crush.

‘People started falling one upon another, one upon another. Those who were crushed died. People there pulled them out,’ said one witness.

The majority of those killed are believed to be women and children, some as young as 4. More than 80 others were injured, and taken to the hospital.

Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, described Tuesday’s events as ‘extremely sad and heart-wrenching,’ adding that an investigation had begun into the cause of the incident.