On 18 January 2014, a

stampede A stampede () is a situation in which a group of large animals suddenly start running in the same direction, especially because they are excited or frightened. Non-human species associated with stampede behavior include zebras, cattle, elephants ...

broke out in

Mumbai Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the second- ...

near the

Malabar Hill Malabar Hill (ISO: Malabār Hill ələbaːɾ is a hillock and upmarket residential neighbourhood in South Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Malabar Hill is the most exclusive residential area in Mumbai. It is home to several business tycoons and fil ...

residence of

Dawoodi Bohra The Dawoodi Bohras are a religious denomination within the Ismā'īlī branch of Shia Islam. Their largest numbers reside in India, Pakistan, Yemen, East Africa, and the Middle East, with a growing presence across Europe, North America, South ...

's spiritual leader

Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Mohammed Burhanuddin (6 March 1915 – 17 January 2014) was the 52nd Dā'ī al-Mutlaq of Dawoodi Bohras. He led the community for 49 years in a period of social, economic, and educational prosperity; strengthened and re-institutionalized the f ...

, who had died on 17 January 2014.

Events

The stampede started around 1:30 a.m. when his supporters had assembled to pay their last respect after the gates were opened and the crowds burst in. According to the BBC, "reports suggest people were crushed after the gates of the house where the body of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin were kept were closed." Eighteen people were confirmed dead and around fifty-six injured. According to one mourner, "There were a lot of people pouring in, and there was not much attention given by the government and the police, who should have been here and who should have managed things." Another mourner said, "In an attempt to get a glimpse of the Syedna, people started climbing on the main gates. Several fell and commotion ensued." A full list of the victims and their ages was later provided.

References

{{Disasters in India in 2014 Human stampedes in India Mumbai stampede History of Mumbai (1947–present) Mumbai stampede Mumbai stampede 2010s in Mumbai Disasters in Maharashtra Mumbai stampede