More than 100 people, mostly women and children, died in a stampede at a religious event in northern India on Tuesday. Local officials suggested that the oppressive heat contributed to the tragedy.
The cause of the stampede was not immediately clear, but officials noted that the sweltering heat was a factor. Temperatures reached 90 degrees, with humidity at 77 percent, pushing the heat index past 110.
Ashish Kumar, district magistrate of Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, said the incident occurred as people were leaving due to stuffiness at the end of the event.
Chaitra V, a senior local official overseeing the affected districts, told Aaj Tak that there was adequate space at the venue, which had the necessary permits. The problem arose when people got stuck in the sludge while rushing toward a water source to escape the heat.
The religious event, led by a local Hindu preacher, took place in an open-air venue with a tent for shade. Videos and eyewitness accounts described a massive crowd singing and gathering around the preacher.
The injured and deceased were transported to hospitals in Hathras and neighboring Etah district.
