Tragedy Strikes Religious Gathering in Northern India: Stampede: Over a hundred people in a stampede

Over 100 people died in a crowd crush at a Hindu religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh, India. The tragedy occurred as attendees tried to exit through a narrow passage, exacerbated by a dust storm. Authorities are investigating the incident.

A sad incident happened when more than 116 people were crushed to death through a stampede at a Hindu conference in Uttar, Pradesh, in northern India. The mishap happened in a satsang organized in Mughalgarhi village of Hathras district when people were coming out from the satsang hall. 

The Police Inspector General Shalabh Mathur claimed that 60 persons were shot dead, including many women and children. The identification of victims is therefore ongoing. 

From the account of the eye witnesses, it became clear that the tragedy struck within a short span as people tried to escape through a small door. Another account stated that one day the sand rose and engulfed everyone and people started to run, or flee which caused many to die. One survivor, speaking anonymously to the BBC, described the scene: ”There was yelling and within the shortest time people started to collapse and I just could not help it as many of them fell on top of one another. ”  I couldn’t believe my eyes and I am just a lucky man to be alive. ”

Another eye witness, a woman only identified as Shakuntala stated, “When the sermon was over everybody came out of the building and people fell in a drain beside the road and died on top of the other. ”

There has been significant criticism in the wake of the tragedy on the response of the local authorities. Videos circulating social media that shows individuals with critical injuries being transported to hospitals in various cars, ambulances, pickup trucks, tuk-tuks. Critics have claimed that the absence of senior government officials at the scene is worrying especially as they come from the victim’s close vicinity. 

In an interview with the media, another official noted that at least three of the victims were children The chief medical officer from the neighboring Etah district, Umesh Kumar Tripathi also confirmed the report. A committee has been formed to investigate this and the powers that be have acknowledged that this place was indeed congested. 

This tragedy raises questions whether the authorities take enough safety precautions during such large congregational prayers in India. Similar events happened recently, for instance, a train crash in 2018 that was fatal to over 60 people who were trying to cross the tracks during a Hindu festival and a crush that occurred in 2013 during another religious celebration and killed 115 people.

Also Read: Tragedy Strikes Religious Event in Uttar Pradesh: Stampede: 27 killed

Hathras is still in shock at this disaster, all efforts are directed towards offering assistance to the injured and consolation to the families of the deceased. Police and other law enforcement agencies persist in determining the events that orchestrated this rather regrettable outcome.