At least 24 people were killed and more than 50 injured in a stampede at Rajghat Bridge between Varanasi and Chandauli in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. Additional Director-General (Law and Order) Daljit Chaudhary said all the deaths were caused by suffocation.

The chaos had ensued when thousands of devotees of spiritual leader Jai Gurudev tried to cross the bridge simultaneously. The devotees were on their way to Domri village on the banks of the River Ganga for a two-day event. Ambulances and doctors had reached the site soon after incident. Rescue and relief operations are still going on.

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According to reports, around 50,000 people had turned up for the event though the administration was expecting 4,000 devotees. According to Police Chief Javeed Ahmed, a man died of suffocation, triggering panic among others. "We are investigating crowd management and will take action against those responsible," Ahmed said. Another government official said an inquiry will be initiated to find out what caused the stampede, reported The Indian Express.

According to a notice on the Jai Gurudev ashram website, a march was organised on October 15 to promote vegetarianism and spread awareness on the ill-effects of consuming alcohol. While authorities had sought permission for 3,000 people to participate in the event, more than a lakh took part in the procession to Domri village, The Times of India reported.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the stampede, whereas the critically injured will get Rs 50,000 each. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 to those wounded. Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda offered their condolences. Gandhi has also asked Congress workers to provide all possible help.