Tragedy Strikes Hathras: 121 Dead in Stampede at Religious Congregation

A horrific incident unfolded in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, as a religious congregation led by Bhole Baba ended in tragedy with the death toll climbing to 121, authorities confirmed. The stampede occurred during the event attended by thousands near Phulrai village in the Sikandrarau area. Stunned families gathered outside hospitals, grappling with the devastating aftermath as they sought to identify their loved ones among the deceased and injured.

The followers of Narayan Sakar Hari, another godman, were accused of concealing evidence related to the stampede. An FIR has been filed against the event organizer Devprakash Mathur, who is facing charges of violating regulations and attempting to hide crucial information from authorities. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, visited the injured in district hospitals and directed a special team to investigate the tragic incident.

A team comprising officials from Agra and Aligarh has been tasked with determining the cause of the stampede, with a report expected soon. The autopsy reports from the Etah hospital revealed that asphyxia due to compression was the primary cause of death among the victims, most of whom were women between 40-50 years of age.

The families impacted by the catastrophe shared heart-wrenching stories of loss. One father, Satyendra Yadav, a Delhi-based driver, mourned the loss of his three-year-old son, Rovin, in the stampede. Another family from Jaipur, including young siblings Kaavya and Ayush, tragically lost their lives while attending the event.

As the community grappled with the immense tragedy, the district administration set up helplines to provide support to those affected. In a stark reminder of the human toll, Rajkumari Devi from Unnao sat beside the body of her sister-in-law Ruby, expressing concern for Ruby’s missing five-year-old son.