News reports indicate that a stampede at a religious gathering in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh resulted in 121 deaths. The event was significantly overcrowded, it was estimated that over 250,000 people attended, far exceeding the permitted limit of 80,000. Moreover, this overcrowding is believed to be a major contributing factor to the stampede.
At least 121 people, most of them women, tragically lost their lives in a stampede during a religious gathering in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, India. The event was held for the Hindu guru Bhole Baba and drew a massive crowd of about 250,000 devotees.
A large crowd gathered in a paddy field and a makeshift tent for a prayer meeting led by Bhole Baba. After the meeting, chaos erupted when Bhole Baba left the stage. People rushed to follow him, causing a deadly crush as they tried to touch his feet or the ground he walked on. Many were trampled, and some fell into a muddy adjacent field where they were crushed.
The stampede claimed the lives of 121 people, including 112 women and seven children. In addition, over 80 others were injured and are receiving treatment in hospitals.
Contributing Factors
Experts believe several factors led to the tragedy:
- Overcrowding: The venue was meant for 80,000 people, but an estimated 250,000 showed up.
- Lack of Exits: The makeshift tent had inadequate exits, causing a bottleneck as people tried to leave.
- Slippery Mud: Rain and muddy conditions worsened the situation, causing people to slip and fall.
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Response
Authorities have filed a report against the event organizers and launched a search for Bhole Baba. Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the victims’ families, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and assured support for those affected.
Historical Context
This incident is one of many tragic crowd crushes in India, especially during religious events. Past incidents like Kumbh Mela or Vaishno Devi temple have similarly resulted in high casualties due to overcrowding and poor event management.
The tragedy in Hathras highlights the need for better planning and crowd control measures at large gatherings to prevent such disasters in the future.