Baghpat platform collapse: 7 killed, about 60 injured as wooden structure falls at community event

Seven people lost their lives, and around 60 were injured after a wooden structure collapsed during a religious event in Baraut, Baghpat district, on Tuesday. Officials reported that the incident occurred at 8 am during a programme for the 'Abhishek' of Lord Adinath at Shri Digambar Jain Degree College ground on Gandhi Road.

The event was part of the Jain community's Moksha Kalyanak Nirvana Mahotsav, organised under the Shri 1008 Adinath Bhaktaambar Prachar.

Injuries and Rescue Efforts

According to officials, 20 injured individuals were discharged after receiving first aid, while 39 others are undergoing treatment in hospitals. The accident happened when the wooden stairs of a 65-foot temporary stage in the Maanstambh Complex collapsed, causing devotees on and near the structure to fall.


Initially, District Magistrate Asmita Lal confirmed five deaths and 39 injuries. However, Additional District Magistrate Pankaj Verma later informed PTI that two more people succumbed to their injuries during treatment, raising the death toll to seven.

Eyewitnesses claimed that injured individuals had to be transported to hospitals in e-rickshaws due to a lack of ambulances at the site.

Probe into the Incident

Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya said the event organisers had obtained permission for the programme. "We are investigating the incident," he stated.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed district officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured and wished them a speedy recovery.

Panic at the Scene

The collapse caused chaos at the event, leading to a stampede-like situation. Police personnel rushed to the location and brought the crowd under control. Witnesses said the temporary stairs couldn't handle the weight of the large crowd, causing the structure to collapse.

Criticism of the Administration

The SP media cell criticised the government for negligence, stating on X, "Due to government and administrative negligence and carelessness, there was no monitoring of crowd control at the religious festival... hundreds of devotees are reported to be injured and there is unconfirmed information of some casualties. We pray to God that everyone is safe."

Another statement alleged, "Yogi government is concerned with putting on a spectacle in the name of religion but the people are not getting any facilities and security. There is no arrangement for crowd control and safety of devotees due to which accidents often happen at religious events in which lives are lost and the BJP-Yogi government washes its hands off."

The SP also accused the government of corruption in its handling of public events and safety measures.

Inputs from PTI