Over 100 killed in stampede at Hindu saint’s congregation in Hathras, UP
Over 100 people, most of them women and children, have been killed in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh after a stampede broke out during a religious congregation organised by the Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavna Samagam Committee Tuesday July 02, 2024
Lucknow: Over 100 people, most of them women and children, have been killed in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh after a stampede broke out during a religious congregation organised by the Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavna Samagam Committee Tuesday July 02, 2024.
The stampede occurred during the conclusion of a ‘Satsang’ at Phulrai village in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh.
A huge crowd had gathered there to listen to religious preacher Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba with the officials saying the stampede broke out due to overcrowding.
Locals blamed the state administration for the tragedy. The injured and the deceased were taken to hospitals in both Hathras and neighbouring Etah district.
The family members of the victims alleged inadequate medical facilities and insufficient number of doctors and other staff at the hospitals.
Visuals shared on social media showed the injured and the dead bodies of those killed lying on the ground.
Over 100 people, most of them women and children, have been killed in #Hathras district of #UttarPradesh after a stampede broke out during a religious congregation organised by Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavna Samagam Committee Tuesday July 02, 2024. #HathrasStampede #HathrasNews pic.twitter.com/EdnrsxxeMy
— ummid.com (@ummid) July 2, 2024
Hathras tragedy death toll
There are conflicting reports about the actual death toll. Eyewitnesses talking to media said they have counted 107 dead bodies.
Some media reports have put the death toll as 116.
Eyewitnesses said the stampede broke out as the event concluded and some people tried to move out of the pandal amid the humid conditions while others tried to push them back, leading to confusion and chaos.
They said that the servitors of Bhole Baba reportedly stopped people from leaving the venue amid the heat and humidity, so that the preacher and his retinue could leave first.
Uttar Pradesh government has announced a compensation of INR 200,000 each to the nearest kin of the deceased and INR 50,000 to those injured in the accident.
"Extremely Painful"
Prime Minister Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi termed the incident painful and extended their condolence to the family members of the dead and injured.
"My condolences are with those who have lost their loved ones in this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured," PM Modi said.
Taking to X, Rahul Gandhi wrote: "The news of the death of many devotees due to the stampede during the satsang in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh is extremely painful. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured", he said.
"The government and administration are requested to provide every possible treatment to the injured and relief to the affected families", he added.
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav meanwhile criticised the state government for not taking enough safety measures for the religious congregation.
"We were inside the Parliament when we got information about the tragic incident. How can so many people die? What was the state government doing?" Akhilesh Yadav asked while talking with the media outisde the Parliament.
"If such a huge gathering was planned, the government should have made proper arrangements right from the start of the event. The state government is responsible for this and should now help the families of the victims and take care of the injured," he said.
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