Tragic Stampede at Religious Event in Hathras Claims 87 Lives
New Delhi: In a horrifying incident, at least 87 people, including many women and three children, lost their lives in a stampede that erupted during a ‘satsang’ (prayer meeting) in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. The tragedy occurred in Ratibhaanpur village within the Sikandra Rao police station limits.
The stampede broke out as the large crowd began to disperse from the ‘satsang’ organized in honor of a local guru. The situation quickly escalated, leading to chaos and panic among the attendees. Visuals from the Community Health Centre showed the grim aftermath, with several bodies being brought in buses and tempos, surrounded by grieving relatives.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and promptly took action. He has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, forming a committee to uncover the cause and circumstances that led to the stampede. On the Chief Minister’s directions, relief and rescue operations were initiated immediately. Two state ministers, Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary and Sandeep Singh, along with the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, have been dispatched to the site to oversee the operations and provide necessary support.
According to Hathras District Magistrate Ashish Kumar, initial reports indicated that 50-60 people from the district had perished in the stampede. Additionally, officials from the neighboring Etah district confirmed the deaths of 27 more individuals. Dr. Umesh Kumar Tripathi, Chief Medical Officer in Etah, noted that 27 bodies, including 23 women and 3 children, had arrived at the post-mortem house, with several injured persons also being admitted to hospitals for treatment.
A woman who attended the ‘satsang’ recounted the moments leading up to the stampede, explaining that the event was held in honor of a revered local guru. As the crowd began to exit the venue, the situation spiraled out of control, leading to the tragic stampede.
In a post on social media platform X, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that relief and rescue efforts were being conducted on a war footing. He assured that all injured individuals would receive proper medical care. The government has also appointed a team consisting of the Additional Director General of Agra and the Aligarh Commissioner to conduct an in-depth inquiry into the incident.
President Droupadi Murmu conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, highlighting the national sorrow and empathy for the victims of this tragedy. The President’s message underlined the collective mourning and support from across the country.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on understanding the causes behind the stampede and ensuring such incidents are prevented in the future. The community, reeling from the shock and loss, looks to the support of government and local authorities during this difficult time.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of crowd management and safety measures during large gatherings, particularly at religious and public events. The lessons learned from this tragedy will hopefully lead to more stringent protocols to safeguard lives in the future.
This tragic event in Hathras is a sobering moment for all, reminding us of the fragility of life and the importance of vigilance in ensuring public safety. The affected families and community have the nation’s condolences and support as they navigate through this heartbreaking time.
FOLLOW FOR MORE .
