January 28, 2025: Tragedy struck during a Jain Nirvana festival in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat as a makeshift stage collapsed on Tuesday, claiming the lives of five people and injuring at least 40 others, including women and children.

The incident occurred in Bagaur village during a laddoo ceremony, an integral part of the religious gathering. Devotees had assembled in large numbers to offer laddoos to Lord Adinath in the presence of Jain monks.

Eyewitnesses reported that the bamboo-and-wood stage, hastily constructed to accommodate the crowd, buckled under the weight of the devotees, trapping dozens underneath.

Emergency services, including a large police force and ambulances already stationed for the event, quickly arrived at the scene. Rescue operations were carried out, and the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals.

Baghpat District Magistrate Asmita Lal confirmed the details, stating, “This festival has been held for almost three decades without such an incident. At least 40 people were injured, of whom 20 have been discharged after first aid, while the rest are receiving treatment.”

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences and instructed officials to provide the best possible care for the injured. “Every effort should be made to assist the affected families,” the CM said in a statement.

The tragic incident has cast a shadow over the long-standing tradition, raising questions about safety measures at large public gatherings. Authorities have initiated an inquiry into the cause of the stage collapse.