Rumours of a bridge collapse triggered a stampede in which 24 people were killed and over 60 injured on Saturday afternoon in Varanasi.
The stampede occurred at the narrow Rajghat Bridge on the border of Varanasi and Chandauli where thousands of followers of Jai Gurudev were proceeding towards Domri Village in Chandauli for a two-day camp which began on Saturday, ADG (law and Order) Daljit Chaudhary said.
People in large numbers were brought for the camp by the organisers who had taken permission only for 5,000 devotees. One man died of suffocation because of the surging crowds and traffic on the congested bridge, which led to a commotion. Rumours that the bridge had collapsed fueled more chaos, Uttar Pradesh DGP Javeed Ahmed said.
However, spokesman of Jai Gurudev Sansthan, Raj Bahadur said the devotees were proceeding towards the camp which is just two km away from the bridge when the police started sending them back. This led to rumours that the bridge ahead had collapsed, triggering to the stampede, he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, MP from Varanasi, expressed anguish over the incident and asked senior officials in Varanasi to take stock of the situation. He also announced a solatium of Rs2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs50,000 to those injured.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has directed the Commissioner, Varanasi, to institute a magisterial inquiry into the incident.
He extended an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to next of kin of those killed and free treatment to the injured, who have been admitted to different hospitals in Varanasi and Chandauli.
Daljit Chaudhary said that additional force, including 20 companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary, has been deployed in the area for the second day of the camp on Sunday.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda also assured all support to the Uttar Pradesh Government.
Nadda said Union Health Secretary CK Mishra has already spoken to senior health officials of the State and assured all necessary support.
Principal Secretary (Home) Devashish Panda, Home Secretary SK Raghuvanshi, DGP Javeed Ahmed have rushed to Varanasi to monitor the rescue work. Senior officials from the two districts are camping there.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi also expressed shock and grief over the stampede.
Sonia said she has instructed the UP Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), Varanasi DCC and Congress workers to provide all possible assistance to the people.