At Least 116 Dead in Stampede at Religious Gathering in Uttar Pradesh

02 July

News Flash

Women mourn next to the body of a relative outside Sikandrarao Hospital in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh, India, on July 2, 2024, after dozens of people were killed and scores injured in a stampede at a religious gathering

Panic Erupts at Prayer Meeting Hosted by Hindu Guru in Hathras

New Delhi: At least 116 people were killed in a stampede during a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, according to police reports. Most of the victims were women, but authorities are still confirming the total number of casualties across various hospitals in the region.

The incident occurred during a "satsang," a prayer meeting led by Hindu guru Bhole Baba, in the village of Rati Bhanpur in Hathras district. Thousands of devotees crowded under tents to escape the harsh sun when panic suddenly ensued, causing people to flee. Hathras District Magistrate Ashish Kumar initially reported 50 to 60 deaths within the district, and Uttar Pradesh Police Inspector General Shalabh Mathur later confirmed the toll had risen to at least 116.

The exact cause of the panic remains unclear, though some eyewitnesses reported that the stampede began as people rushed to exit when the event concluded. Videos circulated on social media showing numerous bodies, predominantly women, being transported to regional hospitals.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh ordered an investigation into the incident amid growing public anger and accusations that the event lacked proper arrangements. Conditions at the gathering were hot and humid, adding to the chaos.

Senior police officer Shalabh Mathur mentioned that only temporary permission had been granted for the event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the state government was extending all possible assistance to the victims. Opposition Congress party leader Pawan Khera criticized the state's handling of the event, claiming the hospitals were ill-equipped to manage the influx of injured people.

Stampedes at religious events in India are a recurring problem, often due to inadequate safety and crowd control measures. Notable past incidents include the 2005 stampede at Mandhardevi temple in Maharashtra, which claimed over 340 lives, and the 2008 stampede at Chamunda Devi temple in Rajasthan, resulting in more than 250 deaths. In the same year, a stampede at Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh killed over 160 people.