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A devastating stampede at a religious gathering in Hathras resulted in the deaths of over 50 individuals and left many others injured, according to officials. The incident occurred on Tuesday during a 'satsang' in Phulrai village. Victims, predominantly women, suffocated and were trampled as the crowd surged, making it one of the most severe tragedies in recent years.
Many bodies were transported to the neighboring Etah district, where Etah hospital received 27 bodies, including 23 women, three children, and a man, as initially reported by Senior Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar Singh. However, the death toll is expected to rise, with hospital reports estimating between 50 to 60 casualties. Some unconfirmed reports suggest an even higher toll.
Victims, whether deceased or unconscious, were taken to the Sikandara Rao Trauma Centre in trucks and 'tempos,' where their bodies lay outside as distraught onlookers gathered. Video footage captured the harrowing scenes, including a woman crying among several bodies in a truck and another showing lifeless bodies in a vehicle.
Eyewitness Shakuntala Devi recounted that the stampede erupted as attendees were leaving the 'satsang' at its conclusion, with people falling over each other and bodies subsequently being pulled out. According to Ravendra Kumar, Sikandra Rao's sub-divisional magistrate, the chaos ensued when devotees rushed to catch a glimpse of Bhole Baba, who led the 'satsang,' and to collect soil from around his feet. Sikandra Rao police station SHO Ashish Kumar attributed the tragedy to overcrowding at Bhole Baba's event.
A state government team, including Agra's additional director general of police and Aligarh's divisional commissioner, has been appointed to investigate the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences in Parliament, and President Droupadi Murmu called the news heart-wrenching on social media. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed his sorrow.
An FIR will be registered against the event organizers, as per a state government statement. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his sympathies to the families of the deceased, announcing an ex gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those who died and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Ministers Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary and Sandeep Singh are en route to Hathras, with the chief secretary and the state police chief also directed to reach the scene.
On Hathras stampede, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says, "The incident is extremely sad and heart-wrenching... Local organisers had organised a program of 'Bhole Baba'. After the program, when the preacher of the Satsang was coming down from the stage, suddenly a crowd of devotees started going towards him to touch him and when the 'sevadars' stopped them, this accident happened there. To investigate this entire matter, we have formed a team under the chairmanship of Additional DG Agra and have asked them to give a detailed report. In view of the incident, the Chief Secretary and DGP of the state are camping there. Three ministers of the state government Chaudhary Laxmi Narayan, Sandeep Singh, Asim Arun, all three of them are at the spot..."
