Stampede at religious congregation in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras claims 27 lives

At least 27 people were killed and several more injured in a stampede at a religious congregation in a village in Hathras district on July 2, police said.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Etah, Rajesh Kumar Singh said the incident occurred at a 'satsang' in Pulrai village where people had gathered in large numbers.

"Twenty-seven bodies have arrived in Etah hospital. Among those killed are 23 women, three children and a man," he told reporters.

The stampede apparently occurred due to overcrowding, Sikandra Rao police station SHO Ashish Kumar said.

According to officials, a team comprising the Agra additional director general of police and the divisional commissioner of Aligarh will probe the incident.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the stampede and instructed officials to reach the accident site and carry out relief measures.

Adityanath also directed the district administration to arrange for proper treatment of those injured and immediately take them to hospitals. He wished them a speedy recovery.

(PTI)