A tragic stampede at a religious event in Uttar Pradesh, India, killed at least 87 people on Tuesday, according to local police.
The incident occurred during a prayer meeting, called a satsang, in Mughal Garhi village, Hathras district. This village is about 200 kilometers (124 miles) southeast of New Delhi.
As per CNN, Police in Hathras reported 60 deaths, while 27 more were confirmed in the neighboring Etah district after being brought to Etah hospital.
“The numbers may rise. People are being taken to hospitals in Hathras district and Etah,” said Manish Chikara, Hathras district police spokesperson.
Video footage showed crowds gathering outside a hospital in Etah with distraught relatives, and medical staff carrying people on stretchers.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences in parliament, stating that the government is engaged in “relief and rescue work” and coordinating with the state government. “The victims will be helped in every way,” he assured.
Ashish Kumar, the district magistrate of Hathras, explained that the stampede happened as people were leaving the event, which was held to celebrate the Hindu deity, Shiva.
He said police had permitted the event and officials were on duty for law and order, but the organizers handled the arrangements inside.
A high-level committee has been formed to investigate the incident.
As reported by Al-Jazeera Deadly accidents are common at places of worship in India during major religious festivals, when large crowds gather in small areas with few safety measures.
At least 112 people were killed in 2016 after a huge explosion caused by a banned fireworks display at a temple marking the Hindu New Year. The explosion ripped through concrete buildings and ignited a fire at a temple complex in Kerala state, where thousands had gathered.
Another 115 devotees died in 2013 after a stampede at a bridge near a temple in Madhya Pradesh state in central India.
Up to 400,000 people had gathered in the area. The stampede occurred after a rumour spread that the bridge was about to collapse.
At least 224 pilgrims died and more than 400 others were injured in a 2008 stampede at a hilltop temple in the northern city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan state.