The tragic stampede at a Hindu religious gathering in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh, India, has now claimed 121 lives, with 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 in his car. The crowd, estimated at over 250,000 people, far exceeded the permitted capacity of 80,000. Many fell into a 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 high-level inquiry into the incident and vowed to uncover the truth behind the tragedy. The police have filed an FIR against the event organizers and are searching for Bhole Baba, who remains untraceable.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, 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. Local residents have criticized the administration and police for failing to take necessary precautions to ensure safety at the event.
Key points
- The death toll from the Hathras stampede has risen to 121, with 28 injured.
- The stampede was triggered when devotees rushed to touch the spiritual leader Bhole Baba as he was leaving in his car.
- The event attendance of over 250,000 people far exceeded the permitted capacity of 80,000.
- Authorities have launched an investigation, and the spiritual leader remains untraceable.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported number of injured, with some sources citing 18 and others 28.
