Hathras stampede: Overcrowding as ‘baba’ left venue among reasons that killed 116
A deadly stampede during a ‘satsang’ in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras claimed the lives of 116 people on Tuesday.
Scores of bodies were lying on blocks of ice inside a government hospital, as wailing relatives of the victims waited outside to take mortal remains back home. The victims were part of the crowd of thousands that had gathered near Phulrai village in the Sikandrarau area for the ‘satsang’ by religious preacher Bhole Baba.
The stampede took place at around 3.30 pm. According to an eyewitness, there were at least 10,000 people at the venue and when Baba was leaving, many of them rushed to touch his feet. As they were returning, people slipped and fell over one another as parts of the ground had turned boggy with water overflowing from a nearby drain.
HATHRAS STAMPEDE: WHAT HAPPENED SO FAR
Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh told news agency PTI that overcrowding was one of the reasons behind the stampede. Singh said the application submitted by the event organisers seeking permission to hold the ‘satsang’ put the number of attendees at 80,000, but the actual number was much higher.
As the ‘satsang’ concluded, devotees ran behind the vehicle of Baba Narayan Hari to touch his feet. As they were returning, people slipped and fell over one another. It was also learnt that people ran to collect soil from the path where the baba walked, to worship it. As a result, people started bending down and falling.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is likely to visit Hathras on Wednesday. Upon receiving information about the incident, Adityanath on Tuesday said, “Our government will get to the bottom of this incident and give appropriate punishment to the conspirators and those responsible. The state government is investigating this entire incident. We will see whether it is an accident or a conspiracy.”
According to a government statement, a team consisting of ADG Agra and Aligarh Divisional Commissioner has been constituted to inquire into the cause of the incident. The report is to be submitted within 24 hours. Three ministers — Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, Asim Arun and Sandeep Singh — were sent to the spot soon after the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound sorrow over the stampede incident and announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the next of kin of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured. PM Modi also said senior officials of the central government were in constant contact with the Uttar Pradesh administration to coordinate aid efforts.
The government released helpline numbers from different cities for those enquiring about their loved ones.
Agra Zone control – 7839866849
Aligarh Range Control – 7839855724
Agra Range Contriol – 7839855724
Hathras Control – 9454417377
Etah Control – 9454417438
Aligarh Control – 7007459568