In a heartrending tragedy 87 persons including three children and several women were left dead following stampede at a religious gathering in Pulrai village in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh.
However, there were conflicting reports regarding the actual number of deaths.
The district administration and police rushed to the place in getting the news of the sad incident.
Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath immediately directed relief and rescue operations to be carried out at full swing.
The satsang had been organised in honour of a local guru. Overcrowding was said to be the cause behind the incident.
Videos in social media were too scary with bodies piled up outside a hospital. Those injured were being treated at hospitals in the district.
According to the DM Ashish Kumar he had received news of around sixty deaths from doctors.
The privately organised event had been given permission by the SDM.
The DM said, the incident is being investigated.
CMO Etah confirmed 27 bodies at the mortuary including 25 women and 2 men.
The DGP and Chief Secretary of the state were reported to have reached the place of tragedy.
President Draupadi Murmu has expressed grief over the incident.