Dozens killed in stampede at religious congregation in India
People gather outside the local hospital.
Reuters
Dozens are feared dead following a stampede at a religious event in northern India.
The stampede happened in a village in Hathras district, about 200km (125miles) southeast of national capital New Delhi.
District police spokesperson Manish Chikara said "I can't give the exact toll at the moment, but it is approximately 60...There is a possibility that the toll may go up." Local media said that the death toll has risen to 87.
Hathras district administrator Ashish Kumar told reporters: "The incident happened due to overcrowding at the time when people were trying to leave the venue."
People gather outside the local hospital.
Reuters
A map showing the location of the stampede
Reuters
An unidentified witness told broadcaster India Today that there was a narrow exit at the venue: "As we tried to exit towards a field, suddenly a commotion started, and we didn't know what to do."
Authorities in the region said a large crowd had gathered on an area of open ground in response to a call from a local religious leader.
Uttar Pradesh is India's most populous state with more than 200 million people. Chief Minister of the region Yogi Adityanath ordered an investigation.
"Instructions have been given to the concerned officials to conduct relief and rescue operations on war footing and to provide proper treatment to the injured," he posted on X.
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People waiting outside a hospital in Uttar Pradesh
Reuters
One eyewitness told India Today: "After the [event] ended, everyone came out. Outside, the road was built on a height with a drain below.
"One after the other, people started falling into it. Some people got crushed."
Another eyewitness said that the people were standing on the side of the road when they were pushed by the crowd leaving after the venue and fell into the drain below.
They said: "They fell on top of each other and could not get out. 20-25 people died on the spot."