50,000 PEOPLE, EXTREME HEAT & HUMIDITY IN PANDAL: HOW THE HATHRAS STAMPEDE UNFOLDED?

The UP government has ordered an enquiry after at least 60 people were killed and several more injured in a stampede at a religious congregation in a village in Hathras district on Tuesday.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Etah, Rajesh Kumar Singh said the incident occurred at a 'satsang' in Pulrai village. Twenty-seven bodies, including 23 women and three children, have arrived in Etah hospital alone.

According to officials, a team comprising the Agra additional director general of police and the divisional commissioner of Aligarh will probe the incident.

As per officials, people had gathered in large numbers for the event. There were more than 50,000 people at the religious congregation from Mathura, Agra, Firozabad and Etah. 

How Did The Mishap Unfold?

A large number of people had gathered at Ratibhaan Pur near the Hathras-Etah border to listen to the sermon of Sant Bhole Baba. 

The stampede apparently occurred due to overcrowding, Sikandara Rao police station SHO Ashish Kumar said.

Sources said that the stampede-like situation was due to the terrible humidity and heat in the pandal. Moreover, there was a lot of delay in the police administration and ambulance reaching the spot.

As per the eyewitnesses, the fatalities may be higher as the injured were sent to hospitals in nearby districts. 

Condolences Pour In

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered his condolences to the families of those killed in the stampede and said instructions have been given to the concerned officials to conduct relief and rescue operations.  

"The loss of life in the unfortunate accident in Hathras district is extremely sad and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved family. Instructions have been given to the concerned officials to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing and to provide proper treatment to the injured," CM Yogi said in a post on X.

"A team has been formed under the leadership of ADG, Agra and Commissioner, Aligarh and instructions have also been given to investigate the causes of the accident.  I pray to Lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed souls in his feet and provide speedy recovery to the injured," he added.

2024-07-02T13:08:12Z dg43tfdfdgfd