Gwalior: A religious procession in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior district ended in tragedy on Tuesday after a stampede broke out during a Kalash Yatra in Dabra town, claiming the life of a woman and leaving several others injured.
The incident occurred during the Navgrah Peeth Kalash Yatra, a large religious event that drew a massive crowd of devotees from Dabra and nearby areas. As the procession moved through the town, a sudden surge in the crowd led to chaos, with people pushing and losing balance within moments.
Several devotees fell to the ground, triggering panic, especially among women and elderly participants. In the confusion, many were trampled before help could reach them.
One woman, identified as Rati Sahu, a resident of Hanuman Colony in Dabra, died during treatment. More than six others sustained injuries, most of them women. All the injured were rushed to Dabra hospital, where doctors said one woman, identified as Vimla, remains in serious condition.
Following the death, emotions ran high. Family members of the deceased woman carried her body back from the hospital to the yatra site, accusing the local administration of failing to manage the crowd properly. They alleged that the tragedy could have been avoided if adequate security and crowd-control measures had been in place.
The protest created tension at the spot, with angry attendees demanding accountability from officials. Police and administrative teams were deployed to calm the situation and restore order.
Ambulances and emergency services reached the area soon after the incident, helping evacuate the injured. However, authorities have said that the exact cause of the stampede is still under investigation.
Despite the incident, religious events at the Navgrah temple are scheduled to continue until February 20, and officials expect large gatherings in the coming days. The tragedy has raised serious questions about safety arrangements at large religious gatherings, especially those attracting thousands of devotees.
