6 dead, over 50 injured as stage collapses during Nirvana Laddu festival in UP's Baghpat

Six people lost their lives, and over 50 others were injured after a bamboo stage collapsed during the ‘Nirvana Laddu Parv’ in Baraut, Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. The religious event was held to honor Bhagwan Adinath, the first Tirthankara in Jainism, and had attracted hundreds of devotees from across the region.

The incident occurred when a makeshift stage, erected for rituals and seating, collapsed under the weight of the gathered crowd. Chaos ensued as people fell from the platform and others were trapped underneath. Rescue teams and ambulances were immediately deployed to the site to assist victims and transport the injured to nearby hospitals.

Baghpat District Magistrate Asmita Lal confirmed that six people died, and more than 50 others sustained injuries. “Twenty people were given first aid and discharged, while others with severe injuries are undergoing treatment in hospitals,” Lal said. Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya stated, “Initial findings suggest overcrowding caused the collapse.”

The ‘Laddu Mahotsav’ is an annual religious celebration organized by the local Jain community and has been observed in Baraut for over 30 years. The bamboo platform is set up every year as part of the festival arrangements. Witnesses reported that the collapse happened during a key ritual when the platform was heavily crowded with devotees and priests performing offerings.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and directed district authorities to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured. He also instructed officials to investigate the cause of the platform collapse and ensure such incidents do not recur.