19 killed, 50 injured in India stampede

At least 19 people were killed and 50 others injured in a stampede at Rajghat bridge between Varanasi and Chandauli where a large number of people had gathered for a religious event on Saturday afternoon.

The incident took place when thousands of followers of religious leader Jai Gurudev were on their way to Domri village on the banks of Ganga to take part in the two-day camp, police said.

People from different places participated in the procession moving towards Domari village to join the assembly.

The entire route witnesses a massive traffic jam due to the huge gathering of people. The stamped occurred when people were moving downward from the Rajghat bridge causing deaths of men and women.

Five of the injured are stated to be in a serious condition, district magistrate Chandauli, Kumar Prashant said.

Senior officials of police and administration have rushed to the spot to carry out relief and rescue measures.

PM Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the family members of those killed in the stampede.

He also promised compensation of Rs 50,000 for the wounded.

UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakhs each for kin of those killed in the stampede and Rs 50,000 each for the critically injured.

Meanwhile, a government spokesman in Lucknow said that the situation in Chandauli is being monitored and all necessary measures were being taken.

An inquiry will be instituted to find out the cause of the stampede, he said.

Source: The Times of India