On July 2, a tragic stampede occurred in the northeastern state of India, resulting in the deaths of at least 107 people, mostly women. The incident took place during a sermon by a cleric in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh state, about 140 km southeast of New Delhi. Witnesses described a scene of people falling on top of each other with no way to escape, leading to a tragic loss of life. Several people fainted and many did not survive the chaotic situation.
The authorities in India are currently investigating the cause of the stampede, with local police suggesting that devotees may have panicked due to the hot and humid weather, resulting in a chaotic rush to escape the area. However, it is important to note that India has a history of fatal accidents during religious festivals at places of worship. In a similar tragedy in 2016, a fireworks explosion during a Hindu New Year celebration claimed the lives of at least 112 people in Kerala state. Prior to that, a stampede near a temple in Madhya Pradesh in 2013 resulted in the death of 115 individuals, caused by rumors of the structure collapsing. Another devastating stampede occurred in 2008 at a hilltop temple in Jodhpur, claiming the lives of 224 pilgrims and leaving over 400 others injured. These incidents serve as reminders of the need for better crowd management and safety measures during religious gatherings in India.