Varanasi stampede: President Mukherjee writes to UP Governor condoling loss of lives

President of India Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday wrote to Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, condoling the loss of lives in a stampede in Varanasi yesterday.

"I am sad to learn about the stampede in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh in which a number of persons have lost their lives and others are injured. I understand relief and rescue operations are currently underway," the President said in his message. He further called upon the state government and other authorities to provide all possible aid to the bereaved families, who have lost their near and dear ones as well as medical assistance to the injured.

"Please convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I wish speedy recovery to the injured persons," he added. 

Yesterday, a trip to visit Jai Baba Gurudev's campaign in Varanasi turned into a stampede as crowd management failed on the Rajghat bridge over river Ganga. At least 24 people are known to have been killed due to the accident, out of which 15 were females. 4 other remain critically injured. 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced Rs. 2 lakh each next to kin of the victims of the stampede and Rs 50,000 each to critically injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also offered his condolences to the victims and announced a financial aid of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those died in the stampede and Rs 50,000 to those injured.