A 30-year-old man died and at least 14 people were injured when a crowd surged through the gates of a TikTok influencer's mehndi ceremony in Sialkot, officials said.

The event was for Muhammad Ansar Jatt, a Sialkot TikToker known to his followers as 'Mr Patlu'. It was being held at Faraz Cricket Ground on Daska Road. Motorcycles and a car were to be given away to attendees through a lucky draw, and followers had travelled from across Punjab to attend.

Hundreds were waiting outside well before the scheduled start. When organisers opened the gates, the crowd pushed forward and several people fell and were trampled.

Muhammad Aqeel, 30, died while being taken to Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital, according to Rescue 1122.

A Rescue 1122 spokesperson said the 14 other injured people were men aged between 22 and 51. They had come from Narowal, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Khanewal, Okara, Sialkot, Gujrat and Bahawalpur. Most were discharged after receiving first aid.

Local residents said the actual number of injured could be higher. Two Sialkot residents said more than 40 people were hurt, as attendees took several injured people to private clinics and hospitals themselves before rescue teams arrived.

District Emergency Officer Naveed Iqbal said Rescue 1122 had not been informed in advance that a large gathering was planned at the ground.

Four ambulances and a motorcycle ambulance took part in the rescue operation.

Sialkot District Police Officer Dost Muhammad arrived with a large police contingent and the Elite Force. Police took over security and brought the crowd under control.

The DPO blamed the organisers for opening the gates before the scheduled time. He said permission for such an event was a matter for the district administration.

The DPO said every aspect of the incident would be examined and legal action would follow.