TRAGIC! 7 killed, scores injured as 65-foot-high wooden stage collapses at 'Adinath Nirvana Laddu' festival in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat

Baghpat: Seven persons were killed and scores of others were injured when a wooden stage collapsed due to overcrowding by the devotees in the Baraut area of Baghpat district here in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, police sources said.

Police sources said that the tragic accident occurred early Tuesday morning when the wooden stage erected for the Nirvana Laddu festival of Lord Adinath at Shri Digambar Jain Degree College collapsed. "The death toll is feared to rise as several victims remain critical," they said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the accident that took place in Baghpat district. He has directed the officials to immediately send the injured to the hospital and to provide them proper treatment. Along with this, he has also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Police sources said that the incident happened in the Baraut city Kotwali area on Gandhi Road during a religious program that has been organised annually for the past 25 years.

"A temporary 65-foot-high stage had been constructed for the festival, but the large number of devotees caused the stairs to collapse. This led to a stampede, and several attendees were buried under the debris," they said.

Police sources said that the deceased included Taraspal (66), Amit (35), Arun (48), Usha (24), Shilpi (24), Vineet Jain (40), and Kamlesh Jain (65). "The injured, including 15 police personnel, were rushed to various hospitals," they said.

Police sources said that due to the lack of immediate availability of ambulances, some victims were transported in e-rickshaws.

"Eyewitnesses reported chaos at the site, with people protesting delays in conducting postmortems," they said.

Police sources said that preliminary reports suggest that moisture in the soil and the strain from the heavy crowd caused the stage's structure to collapse.

"The administration is investigating the incident, and additional measures are being taken to avoid such tragedies in the future," they said.

CM Yogi has expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it 'unfortunate.' He has directed the Baghpat district administration to expedite relief efforts and ensure proper medical care for the injured.