Approximately 60 individuals are feared to have perished in a stampede during a religious gathering in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, on Tuesday, as per authorities. The tragic incident occurred in a village in Hathras district, located around 200 km (125 miles) southeast of the national capital, New Delhi. "I cannot provide the exact number of casualties at this time, but it is estimated to be around 60... There is a possibility that the number may increase," stated Manish Chikara, a spokesperson for the district police, in a phone interview with Reuters. Unverified videos circulating on social media depicted bodies stacked outside a local hospital. Reuters was unable to immediately authenticate the videos.
In response to the incident, State Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered an investigation. "Instructions have been issued to the relevant officials to carry out relief and rescue operations urgently and to ensure proper treatment for the injured," he wrote on X.
