The tragic toll from yesterday’s stampede at a Hindu religious gathering in northern India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, continues to rise.

The death toll now stands at 121 – mostly women and children – while officials continue to express fears that the death toll will rise.

The tragedy occurred in a village in Hathras district, about 200 kilometers southeast of the capital New Delhi.

The victims include 108 women and seven children, said state official Manoj Kumar Singh.

India

Videos on social media show bodies piled on the ground outside a local hospital as relatives carry the dead on their shoulders.

Thousands of devotees flocked to the religious festival because a high-ranking Hindu monk was in attendance. After the ceremony, as the crowd tried to get to him, the fatal stomping occurred.

According to the police report, preacher Surajpal, also known as “Bole Baba”, was leaving the gathering in his car. Thousands of worshipers began shouting and running towards the car, trampling others who were still seated. Some people, due to the downhill terrain, fell into a neighboring field which was full of mud and were trampled.

However, there are other reports, according to which the trampling occurred when worshipers tried to pick up dirt that the preacher had stepped on, or that a sandstorm caused panic among the gathered as they were leaving.

Shocking testimonies from eyewitnesses

“I was told that people ran to touch his feet and tried to collect dirt and then there was a stampede,” explained Manoj Kumar Singh, according to the Indian Express newspaper. “Many people fell into a nearby ditch,” he added.

“The whole world — the whole crowd, including women and children — left the venue at the same time,” said Sheela Maurya, a 50-year-old police officer on duty. “I tried to help women, but I passed out and was mobbed,” he added. “I don’t know how, but someone pulled me out of there and then I don’t remember much.”

Ram Niwas, a 35-year-old farmer, said he is looking for his sister-in-law, 54-year-old Rumla, who is distraught. “We haven’t been able to find her anywhere,” he said, explaining that during the night he looked for her in all the hospitals in the area. “We just hope she’s still alive,” he added. “Maybe he just got lost.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced compensation of $2,400 for the relatives of the dead and $600 for the injured.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is also a Hindu monk, offered his condolences to the families of the victims and called for an investigation. Accidents are common at places of worship in India, during major religious festivals where millions of worshipers gather. At least 224 pilgrims died and more than 400 were injured in a 2008 stampede around a temple in the city of Jodhpur.