At least 27 people have been confirmed dead following a stampede at a religious gathering in India.

According to local authorities, the incident happened at Satsang, a Hindu religious event, which held in Pulrai village close to Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

The stampede began as worshippers rushed to leave the event with the religious leader.

Umesh Tripathi, chief medical officer (CMO) of Etah, said the victims include 25 women and two men.

“Police are carrying out their proceedings, and our team is ready to conduct post-mortem after they are done,” he said.

More than 150 people were rushed to hospitals, with authorities saying the number of casualties may rise.

There are reports that overcrowding could be responsible. The total number of worshippers is yet to be confirmed.

Stampedes are not uncommon at large gatherings in India. The incidents are often caused by cramming multitudes into small event centres.

In November 2023, at least four students were killed in a stampede that occurred during a music festival at Cochin University of Science and Technology in Kerala.

The United States supreme court has ruled that former President Donald Trump has immunity for official actions taken while in office.

In a 6-3 ruling delivered on Monday, the majority decision dismissed the verdict of the lower court on the criminal charges filed against Trump over his conduct after the 2020 elections.

The six justices ruled that former US presidents have immunity against actions taken while in office but not unofficial actions.

Reuters reports that the court analysed Trump’s indictment into four categories: discussions with justice department officials after the 2020 election; alleged pressure on then Vice-President Mike Pence to block certification of Biden’s election win; alleged role in assembling fake pro-Trump electors; and conduct about an attack on the US Capitol.

The justices ruled that Trump has immunity over conversations with US justice department officials but returned the case to the lower courts to determine the immunity of the other three categories.

In 2021, Trump supporters breached police lines and stormed the US Capitol Hill building while Congress was sitting to verify then-President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.

The police said four people died and at least 14 of their personnel were injured. Over 50 people were arrested. Some of the rioters have been sentenced to prison.

Trump had promised to pardon most or all of the rioters if he is re-elected president in 2024.

In December 2022, the January 6 committee voted to refer Trump to the department of justice (DOJ) for at least four criminal charges.

The committee is a select panel from the United States house of representatives, to investigate the January 6 invasion of the US Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters.

Former US President Barack Obama has thrown his weight behind President Joe Biden amidst the lower confidence ratings he got after Thursday’s presidential debate.

Biden occasionally stammered, spoke incoherently, and delivered a slurred, throaty speech during the debate against Donald Trump, his immediate predecessor, who is seeking a return to the White House.

The president’s retorts were also perceived as feeble by many analysts.

Analysts said Biden was “deeply vulnerable” and his voice was “shaky,” leaving Democrats worried that they could be throwing away the presidency if he remains at the top of the ticket.

Expressing support in a post shared on X on Friday night, Obama said bad debates happen.

Biden served as vice-president under Obama from 2009 to 2017.

“Trust me, I know. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself,” the former president said.

“Between someone who tells the truth—who knows right from wrong and will give it to the American people straight— and someone who lies through his teeth for his own benefit.

“Last night didn’t change that, and it’s why so much is at stake in November.”

Biden had earlier defended himself at a rally, insisting he could do the job despite his reduced alertness.

“I don’t walk as easily as I used to, I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to, and I don’t debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know is how to tell the truth,” the 81-year-old told a cheering crowd, chanting “Four more years.”.

The US presidential election is slated to be held on November 5.