Hathras stampede: What caused stampede at 'satsang' & where is ‘Bhole Baba’?
Hathras stampede: A stampede broke out at a 'satsang' in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras on Tuesday, killing at least 121 people, including 106 women and seven children. Multiple theories emerged about the cause of the stampede at the religious event. Meanwhile, Narayan Saakar Hari, also known as 'Bhole Baba', the preacher during whose satsang the tragedy took place, is still at large, according to the Uttar Pradesh Police.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar, Bhole Baba was not found after the Uttar Pradesh Police conducted a search operation at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district for the self-styled godman.
"We could not find Baba Ji on campus...He's not here," Sunil Kumar said.
The stampede occurred around 3.30 pm when Bhole Baba was exiting the venue.
Suffocation within the tent.
Authorities believe that heat and suffocation within the tent contributed to the stampede at the event hosted in a village in the Hathras district,
Rajesh Singh, a UP Police officer, stated that overcrowding was most likely a contributing reason. Initial reports indicated that organisers received clearance for 5,000 guests, but more than 15,000 individuals eventually arrived.
Rush for 'raj'
According to an eyewitness, the stampede at the Satsang event at Sikandra Rao, Hathras district, was caused by a rush by Bhole Baba devotees to collect "raj" (dust) from the road where the preacher's vehicle had passed as it left the venue.
"Baba left after addressing Satsang for over an hour and a half on Tuesday. The followers raced for 'raj' but slipped on the slippery ground and fell on each other, resulting in the stampede," an eyewitness said.
- PTC NEWS
