Stampede At Religious Event In Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras Leaves 116 Dead

At least 116 people, mostly women, died in a major stampede during a religious event in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district on Tuesday. The tragic incident occurred as a religious preacher addressed his followers in a specially erected tent in Rati Bhanpur village, within the Sikandra Rau area of Hathras district.

According to police, initial investigations suggest that suffocation at the crowded venue caused discomfort among attendees of the ‘Satsang’. This led to panic and people started running, triggering the stampede. The hot and humid weather conditions exacerbated the situation, police added.

“It was a satsang meeting conducted by Bhole Baba, a religious preacher. Temporary permission had been granted for the gathering at the location on the border of Etah and Hathras district on Tuesday afternoon,” said Inspector General (Aligarh Range) Shalabh Mathur.

Among the identified deceased are Ganga Devi (70) from Hathras, Priyanka (20) from Kasganj, Jasoda (70) from Mathura, and Saroj Lata (60) from Etah. Two children, Kavya (4) and Ayush (8), both from Shahjahanpur, also lost their lives.

A survivor recounted that the stampede ensued when the event concluded and everyone rushed to leave. “A huge crowd of followers gathered at the spot, and there was no way out. Everyone fell on each other, causing the stampede. I tried to move out but was blocked by motorcycles parked outside. Many fainted and others died,” the survivor, who is now in a nearby hospital, said.

The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow over the incident and directed officials in and around Hathras district to expedite rescue and relief operations. “Instructions have been given to investigate the causes of the incident under the leadership of ADG Agra and Commissioner Aligarh,” the CM’s Office announced on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Probe Committee Formed

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated on X that officials have been instructed to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing and to ensure proper treatment for the injured. State ministers Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary and Sandeep Singh have been dispatched to the village, along with the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police.

Expressing his condolences to the bereaved families, the Chief Minister announced the formation of a committee to investigate the incident, headed by the Additional Director General of Police, Agra, and the Aligarh Commissioner.

President Murmu Tweets

President Droupadi Murmu described the incident as heart-rending in a post on X. “The news of the death of many devotees, including women and children, in the accident in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh is heart-rending. I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” she posted in Hindi.

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CM Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident. His office tweeted, “UP CM Yogi Adityanath has expressed condolences to the bereaved families of those who died in the accident in Hathras district. He has also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. He has directed the district administration officials to immediately take the injured to the hospital for their proper treatment and speed up the relief work at the site. He has directed an inquiry into the causes of the incident under the leadership of ADG Agra and Commissioner Aligarh.”