New Delhi, Oct 15 (IANS): Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday expressed shock and grief over the death of 19 people in a stampede in Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi.

Extending her condolences to the families of the deceased, Sonia Gandhi hoped that the authorities concerned were providing adequate medical relief and compensation to the victims. 

According to a party statement, Sonia has also instructed party workers in Uttar Pradesh and Varanasi to provide all possible assistance to the people.

Rahul Gandhi, in a statement, said he was "shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the stampede in Varanasi". "My heartfelt condolences to families of the victims of this tragic incident," he said.

The stampede occurred at around 1.30 p.m. at the Rajghat bridge in Ramnagar area where thousands of people had turned up at a religious congregation organised by disciples of the late spiritual leader Jai Gurudev.