Death toll from India stampede rises to at least 97, says official

Many were crushed or trampled, falling on top of each other, with some collapsing into a roadside drain in the chaos.

Nearly 100 people have been crushed to death at a Hindu religious gathering in northern India, with many others injured, says a government official.

A large crowd had gathered on Tuesday in a village in Uttar Pradesh state’s Hathras district, about 200km (125 miles) southeast of national capital New Delhi, for a sermon by a preacher but a fierce dust storm sparked panic as people were leaving.

Many were crushed or trampled, falling on top of each other, with some collapsing into a roadside drain in the chaos.

“We have confirmed 97 deaths so far and are focusing on providing relief and medical aid for the victims,” Chaitra V, divisional commissioner of neighbouring Aligarh district, told the AFP news agency.

“The attendees were exiting the venue when a dust storm blinded their vision, leading to a melee and the subsequent tragic incident,” she said.

Most of the dead were women, according to state chief medical officer Umesh Kumar Tripathi, who told reporters “many injured” have been admitted to hospital.