NEW DELHI, July 2 (Bernama) -- More than 100 people were reported killed and many injured in a stampede at a Hindu prayer gathering in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday.
The incident happened in the Hathras district's Sikandra Rao area, about 180 km from New Delhi.
The stampede took place when the overcrowded religious event ended and people fell on each other in the rush to leave.
The event was organised by a guru called Sakar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba, formerly known as Saurabh Kumar, according to local media reports.
"When I tried to move out, there were motorcycles parked outside, which blocked my way. Many fainted while others died," one injured person said.
Local newspapers put the death toll at around 120. Eyewitnesses told reporters the situation was chaotic and the injured did not receive timely medical care.
They also alleged medical negligence and a shortage of equipment to handle serious patients.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered an investigation into the incident.
"Instructions have been given to the officials concerned to conduct relief-and-rescue operations on a war footing and to provide proper treatment to the injured," he said in a social media post.
-- BERNAMA
