The stampede tragedy at the Hindu religious congregation in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh, is indeed heartbreaking. The incident occurred despite a permitted capacity of 80,000, with around 250,000 people present.
The toll has tragically risen to 121 deaths, mostly due to suffocation, with many victims being women and children.
Authorities are working to provide support and investigate the circumstances surrounding this devastating event.
“The injured are fewer because…if you get caught in a stampede, the injuries will mostly be fractures, scratches, or body pain, so most people got up and left,” said Neeta Jain, the doctor in charge of the hospital’s emergency ward.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), chaos ensued during the Hindu congregation in Hathras when the preacher, Surajpal (‘Bhole Baba’), was leaving in his car.
Thousands of devotees rushed towards the car, leading to a stampede that resulted in tragic deaths. Some individuals fell into nearby slush and mud fields and were also trampled in the chaos.
Many people lost their lives in Hathras
According to a letter reviewed by Reuters, a junior official present at the event described chaotic scenes. The commotion started when devotees rushed towards the preacher’s vehicle but were stopped by his staff, leading to a scuffle where many fell to the ground amid the confusion.
According to the letter, some devotees attempted to flee towards nearby open fields to avoid the stampede but ended up slipping and falling in the path of the crowd.
Local media reported that the event was organized by a group of devotees, although no specific individuals were identified.
A source mentioned that police were working to determine the preacher’s whereabouts. Police officials in Hathras were not immediately reachable for further comment on the incident.
One of the victims who tragically lost their life in the stampede was Ruby, aged 30. She had traveled over 300 km (185 miles) to attend the congregation along with her father, Chedilal.
“I heard terrifying screams from women (during the stampede) and there were bodies piled up on the ground near the exit. I was scared, I ran away and started calling my daughter on the phone,” Chedilal told.
After a harrowing night of searching various hospitals, Chedilal located his daughter’s body at Hathras district hospital in the morning.
The event location, situated amidst paddy fields near a busy highway, was littered with debris and partially flooded following Wednesday morning’s rainfall. Bamboo poles and a banner featuring the preacher’s image were among the few remnants left at the site, serving as solemn reminders of the tragic incident.
