A devastating incident unfolded in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district on Tuesday, where at least six people lost their lives and many others were injured when a makeshift stage, known as a “machaan,” collapsed during the Nirvana Laddu Parv celebration of the first Tirthankara in Jainism, Bhagwan Adinath. The event, part of a religious festival, saw a sudden surge in panic and chaos, with devotees and police personnel among the injured. Rescue teams were promptly deployed at the scene to extricate those trapped under the debris, while medical aid was administered to the injured.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath swiftly took cognizance of the tragedy and instructed local authorities to provide immediate relief to the victims. He also expressed his hopes for the rapid recovery of those injured in the mishap. Local officials, including Baghpat District Magistrate Asmita Lal and Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya, visited the district hospital to check on the condition of the injured. Reports suggest that while the total number of casualties and injuries continues to fluctuate, at least 40 individuals have been affected by the incident.

The incident has drawn political reactions, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav expressing his concern through social media. This tragedy follows a similar incident earlier this month in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, where a stampede during a religious gathering claimed the lives of six individuals. The authorities in both incidents are focusing on relief efforts while conducting inquiries into the causes of these tragic occurrences.