The death toll from the tragic stampede at a Hindu religious gathering in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, India, has risen to 121, with at least 28 people injured. The incident occurred on July 2, 2024, during a ‘satsang’ (religious discourse) led by spiritual leader Narayan Saakar Hari, also known as Bhole Baba.According to eyewitness accounts and local officials, the stampede began when thousands of devotees rushed to touch the preacher as he was leaving the venue. The crowd, estimated at over 250,000 people, far exceeded the permitted capacity of 80,000. Many fell into a water-logged ditch alongside the road, causing a chain reaction that led to numerous deaths from suffocation and trampling.Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a judicial probe into the incident, to be led by a retired High Court judge. Additionally, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the tragedy. Some reports suggest that a sandstorm may have contributed to the panic, sparking the deadly rush.The police have filed an FIR against the event organizers, accusing them of hiding evidence and violating conditions. Bhole Baba, a former police officer with a large following in Uttar Pradesh, remains untraceable and is being sought by authorities.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other political leaders have expressed their condolences. The state government has announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.This incident stands as one of India’s deadliest crowd disasters in recent years, underscoring the ongoing challenges of managing large gatherings in the country. Experts note that the disproportionate number of women and children among the victims is consistent with typical stampede scenarios, and criticize the lack of proper planning and management at the event.
Key points
- The death toll from the Hathras stampede has risen to 121, with most victims being women and children.
- A judicial probe led by a retired High Court judge and an SIT investigation have been ordered.
- The stampede may have been triggered by a combination of overcrowding and a sandstorm.
- The event organizers are facing legal action, and the spiritual leader Bhole Baba remains untraceable.
Contradictions👾There are conflicting reports about the immediate cause of the stampede.
Some sources attribute it to devotees rushing to touch the preacher, while others mention a sandstorm as a contributing factor.
