At least 116 dead and 18 injured in stampede during religious gathering

At least 116 people died this Tuesday, July 2 in a stampede during a Hindu religious gathering in northern India, local media reported.

This is the worst death toll in more than ten years in India where crowd movements regularly kill hundreds of worshippers and pilgrims.

A dense crowd gathered in the town of Hathras, 140 kilometers southeast of New Delhi, to listen to a popular preacher. But a strong dust storm caused panic as worshipers were leaving.

“The death toll stands at 116 and at least 18 other people were injured,” said Chaitra V, divisional commissioner of the city of Aligarh, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, several hours later.