At least 27 people were killed, and dozens more injured, in a stampede during a religious event in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, where hundreds of devotees had gathered.

Umesh Kumar Tripathi, a medical officer in the district of Etah, in western Uttar Pradesh, said a majority of the dead so far were women and children unable to avoid a crowd of devotees trying to exit.

“More people are being brought to other hospitals,” Mr. Tripathi said. “The death toll may rise.”

In India, deadly stampedes during religious pilgrimages are common because of poor enforcement of public safety measures. In recent years, the authorities have increased surveillance of large religious gatherings by deploying more police officers and using drones.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.