19 killed in Stampede in India

Nineteen people, mostly women, were killed and many were injured in a stampede at a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi of India on Saturday.

The stampede broke out when a procession of thousands was moving towards the Rajghat bridge on the river Ganga, for an event organized by the Jai Gurudev sect.

Far too many were on the narrow roads near the bridge than the 4,000 that had been sanctioned, say officials. One man died of suffocation because of the surging crowds, which led to a commotion. Rumours that the bridge had collapsed fueled more chaos, said police chief Javeed Ahmed.

‘The venue was overcrowded. We are investigating crowd management and will take action against those responsible,’ Mr Ahmed said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who represents Varanasi in parliament, said he had asked officials to ensure all possible help. He is currently attending a meeting of BRICS nations in Goa.

TV visuals showed clothing and slippers piled one on top of the other as policemen cleared the debris. A massive traffic jam has been reported as the Rajghat bridge is one of the main connecting roads in the city.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced Rs. 2 lakh for families of the dead and treatment at no cost for the injured.