Death toll rises to 116 killed in stampede at religious event in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh
PTC News Desk: In a significant stampede that occurred on Tuesday during a religious festival in the Hathras region of Uttar Pradesh, at least 116 people—mostly women—died. The incident happened in the Rati Bhanpur hamlet in the Sikandra Rau area of the Hathras district as a religious preacher was addressing his followers under a specially set up tent.
A 'satsang' (prayer assembly) with hundreds of attendees was taking place when the rush happened. Images from the Community Health Center showed a number of bodies being transported there in busses and tempos while sobbing family members watched.
A committee has been formed to look into the occurrence at the request of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has taken notice of it. Along with offering their condolences to the relatives of the deceased, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also stated they were hoping for the injured to heal quickly. PM Modi stated that the Uttar Pradesh government is receiving all assistance from the Center.
Ashish Kumar, the district magistrate of Hathras, stated that the community health center had provided figures indicating between fifty and sixty deaths. An additional 27 deaths were verified by Etah district officials.
Inspector General (Aligarh Range), Shalabh Mathur, stated later in the evening that the figure had increased to 116.
"The stampede broke out in Phulrai village within the Sikandra Rao police station limits in Hathras. This was a private event and permission had been given by the sub-divisional magistrate. Security arrangements were made by the administration but the other arrangements were supposed to be made by the organisers," Mr Kumar said.
#WATCH | 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… pic.twitter.com/q8ig2MIQ5T — ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2024
It was a gathering of religious preacher Bhole Baba, known as satsang. Inspector General (Aligarh Range) Shalabh Mathur said that on Tuesday afternoon, a temporary permit was given for a meeting at the location on the boundary between the Etah and Hathras districts.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath tweets, "The loss of life in the unfortunate accident in Hathras district is extremely sad and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved family. Instructions have been given to the concerned officials to conduct relief and rescue operations on a… pic.twitter.com/nGFtpe2Hka — ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2024
Priyanka (20) from Kasganj, Jasoda (70) from Mathura, Saroj Lata (60) from Etah, and Ganga Devi (70) from Hathras are a few of the deceased who have been recognised. It has also been determined which two murdered children, Ayush, 8, and Kavya, 4, were from Shahjahnpur.
उत्तर प्रदेश के हाथरस जिले में हुई दुर्घटना में महिलाओं और बच्चों सहित अनेक श्रद्धालुओं की मृत्यु का समाचार हृदय विदारक है। मैं अपने परिवारजनों को खोने वाले लोगों के प्रति गहन शोक संवेदना व्यक्त करती हूं तथा घायल हुए लोगों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करती हूं। — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 2, 2024
One of the survivors claimed that the stampede happened while everyone was rushing to escape the area after the religious function.
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"There was a sizable gathering of supporters at that location. There was no way out, so everyone collapsed over one another, causing a stampede. There were motorcycles parked outside that got in the way when I wanted to leave. According to a sufferer who was admitted to a neighboring hospital, "many fainted while others died."
We're looking into what caused the incident specifically.
Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, expressed his sorrow over the incident and gave the authorities in and around the Hathras district instructions to expedite rescue and relief efforts. The CM's Office posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that "he has also given instructions to investigate the causes of the incident under the leadership of ADG Agra and Commissioner Aligarh."
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- With inputs from agencies
