The tragic collapse of a makeshift stage during the Jain Nirvana festival in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat has left the local community in shock. On Tuesday morning, seven people lost their lives, and around 40 others, including women and children, were severely injured when the stage, made of bamboo and wood, crumbled under the weight of the crowd. The stage had been set up for a laddu ceremony, which is a significant part of the festival attended by hundreds of devotees. This ceremony is typically a time for devotees to offer laddoos to Lord Adinath, a revered Jain figure, in the presence of Jain monks.
The festival, held annually in the region for nearly 30 years, had attracted large crowds this year as well. However, during the laddu offering ceremony in Bagaur, the weight of the devotees gathered on the stage caused it to collapse. The structure, which was a temporary setup made of bamboo and wooden planks, did not hold up under the pressure, and a significant portion of the crowd fell with it. Several people were trapped under the debris, and immediate chaos ensued as others attempted to rescue them.
Local police forces, emergency responders, and district officials rushed to the site to control the unfolding disaster. Ambulances were immediately on standby, with 108 ambulances already present on the scene to provide swift medical care. The injured were swiftly transported to hospitals for treatment, with some receiving first aid on-site before being transferred to more specialized medical facilities. District Magistrate Asmita Lal confirmed that 40 people had been injured, with 20 of them already discharged after receiving initial medical attention.
The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, expressed his deep condolences for the victims of the tragedy. He has directed that all necessary steps be taken to ensure the well-being of the injured and to provide them with the best medical care possible. Additionally, he has instructed district authorities to investigate the cause of the stage collapse thoroughly and to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future. Safety measures and construction standards for temporary stages at large public events are expected to come under scrutiny as a result of this incident.
Witnesses at the scene described the moment the stage collapsed as chaotic and frightening. Many devotees had been waiting for the ceremony to begin when the tragedy struck, and the sudden collapse led to panic. Many people, particularly the elderly and children, were caught under the rubble, with a sense of helplessness prevailing as others scrambled to lift debris and help rescue the trapped individuals.
The local community, which had been looking forward to the event, is now in mourning, grappling with the aftermath of the incident. The Jain Nirvana festival, which was meant to be a joyous occasion, has been overshadowed by this heart-wrenching tragedy. In light of the high attendance and significance of the event, the authorities are expected to review safety procedures and event planning, especially for public gatherings of this scale.
As investigations continue, many are asking questions about whether the stage was built with the necessary safety protocols and structural integrity to support such a large crowd. Authorities have promised a full investigation into the causes of the incident, which will likely lead to changes in how public events are conducted, especially those involving large numbers of people. While the community reels from the loss and the injured continue their treatment, the event will likely serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of planning and safety in organizing large-scale public gatherings.
