Seven killed, about 60 injured as makeshift stage collapses at religious event in Baghpat

People injured being taken for treatment after a wooden structure collapses at a religious event in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, on January 28, 2025. Photo: Screenshot from X/@PTI_News

At least seven people died and around 60 others were injured after a makeshift stage collapsed at a Jain temple in Baghpat district during a religious event. Rescue operations were initiated to bring out Jain devotees and some police personnel trapped under the makeshift stage with senior district official reaching the spot to expedite relief efforts.

The incident occurred at around 8 a.m. during a programme organised for the ‘abhishek’ of Lord Adinath on Shri Digambar Jain Degree College ground on Gandhi Road in Baraut, they said. The event was part of the Moksha Kalyanak Nirvana Mahotsav of the Jain community under the aegis of Shri 1008 Adinath Bhaktaambar Prachar.

Of the injured, 20 were discharged after they were administered first aid while 39 are undergoing treatment at a hospital, the officials said, adding that about 100 people were present at the event.

The wooden stairs of the 65-foot temporary stage built in the Maanstambh Complex broke due to which the devotees on the stage and standing near it fell down, police said.

“A wooden structure collapsed and about 60 people were injured. Jain community people were observing ‘Laddu Mahotsav’,” District Magistrate Asmita Lal said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to expedite relief efforts and ensure proper treatment for those injured in the incident.

“Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath ji Maharaj expressed deep sorrow over the accident in Baghpat district and directed the concerned officials to reach the spot and conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing and provide proper treatment to the injured. Maharaj ji has prayed to Lord Shri Ram for the speedy recovery of the injured,” a statement from the Chief Minister’s office read.

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav demanded investigation and action against those responsible for lapses, adding the U.P. government cannot escape its responsibility. “The accident that took place during a religious ceremony of the Jain community in Baraut, Baghpat is extremely sad. The Uttar Pradesh government should take this seriously and first of all provide relief to the accident victims and ensure the best possible treatment for them.

The lapses in safety standards at the level of the government and administration should be thoroughly investigated and punitive action should be taken while ensuring responsibility and protective improvements should be made so that such accidents do not happen in the future. The government cannot escape its responsibility for such accidents,” Mr. Yadav wrote on social media platform X.