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How 116 people was killed in a crush at a religious gathering in northern India

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 3rd, 2024.

How 116 people was killed in a crush at a religious gathering in northern India

A devastating crush at a religious event in northern India’s Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh, has resulted in the deaths of at least 116 people, according to Police Inspector General Shalabh Mathur.

The incident occurred during a satsang, a Hindu religious gathering, in Mughalgarhi village. Among the victims were numerous women and children, with identification efforts still ongoing.

Survivors recounted the chaos that ensued as attendees attempted to exit the event. The exact cause of the crush remains unclear, but witnesses reported that a narrow exit and a sudden dust storm caused confusion and panic, leading to the tragic stampede.

An anonymous eyewitness described the scene, saying, “Everything was going fine until suddenly I heard screams. People were falling on each other. Many were crushed, and I feel fortunate to have survived.”

Shakuntala, a survivor speaking to the Press Trust of India, recalled, “When the sermon ended, everyone started running out. People fell into a drain by the road, piling on top of each other and getting crushed to death.”

Umesh Kumar Tripathi, chief medical officer from the neighboring district of Etah, confirmed that the stampede had claimed the lives of at least three children. A police spokesperson indicated that it would take hours to finalize the death toll.

Disturbing footage from the scene shows the injured being transported to hospitals in makeshift vehicles, including pick-up trucks, tuk-tuks, and motorbikes. One video depicted bodies laid at the entrance of a hospital as distraught relatives pleaded for help.

A relative in another video expressed frustration, saying, “Such a huge accident has happened, but not a single senior officer is present here. Where is the administration?”

Mr. Kumar stated that overcrowding at the venue contributed to the disaster, and a high-level committee has been established to investigate. “The primary focus of the administration is to provide all possible help to the injured and the families of the deceased,” he said.

Satya Prakash, an official from Etah, confirmed that post-mortem procedures were underway and that an investigation had been launched.

In Hathras, the cries of grieving family members filled the local hospital as they searched for their loved ones. Many bodies remained unclaimed, and a shortage of ambulances meant each vehicle was transporting multiple bodies. The town is engulfed in sorrow and despair.

Accidents at religious events in India are not uncommon due to large crowds in confined spaces with inadequate safety measures. In 2018, about 60 people died when a train struck a crowd during Dusshera celebrations. Similarly, in 2013, a stampede at a Hindu festival in Madhya Pradesh resulted in 115 fatalities .