The incident occurred after the conversion of religious preacher Bhole Baba. According to one of the survivors, the stampede occurred when the religious event ended and everyone began to leave the meeting place, RIA Novosti reports.

"A huge crowd of followers gathered at the site. There was no way out, everyone fell on top of each other, and a stampede began. When I tried to get out, there were parked motorcycles outside, which blocked my way. Many lost consciousness, and others died," said the victim, who was admitted to the nearest hospital.

The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, expressed regret over the incident and instructed authorities in and around Hathras district to speed up rescue and relief operations.

"He also instructed to investigate the causes of the incident under the leadership of the head of the Agra Police and Commissioner Aligarh," the office of the Chief Minister of the state said on the social network X.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Drupadi Murmu expressed their condolences to the families of the victims.