India’s Uttar Pradesh Sees 116 People Killed in Stampede at Religious Event

In a tragic incident, at least 116 people were killed in a crush at a Hindu religious gathering in northern India on Tuesday. The incident occurred near the city of Hathras as a large crowd was exiting after a sermon by a popular preacher.

A sudden dust storm sparked panic, leading to a chaotic melee as people tried to flee. Many were crushed or trampled, with some falling into a nearby roadside drain. The majority of the victims were women, according to officials.

Deadly incidents at places of worship during major religious festivals are not uncommon in India, often due to poor crowd management and safety lapses. Authorities have ordered an investigation into the latest tragedy, one of the worst of its kind in over a decade.