Stampede Claims 107 Lives: Uttar Pradesh Mourns
A devastating stampede occurred during a religious gathering in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday, resulting in the loss of at least 107 lives, mostly women. The incident took place when a religious preacher was addressing his followers at a specially arranged tent in Rati Bhanpur village, Sikandra Rau area.
Causes of the Stampede
According to the police, the primary cause of the stampede appears to be suffocation at the venue, which led to discomfort among the attendees. The hot and humid weather conditions exacerbated the situation, causing people to panic and run, resulting in the tragic stampede.
Identified Deceased
Some of the deceased have been identified, including:
- Ganga Devi (70) from Hathras
- Priyanka (20) from Kasganj
- Jasoda (70) from Mathura
- Saroj Lata (60) from Etah
- Two children: Kavya (4) and Ayush (8), both from Shahjahanpur
Eyewitness Account
A survivor, who was admitted to a nearby hospital, described the chaos: “There was a huge crowd gathered, and there was no way out. Everybody fell on each other, and a stampede took place. When I tried to move out, there were motorcycles parked outside, which blocked my way. Many fainted, while others died.”
Investigation and Response
The exact cause of the incident is being investigated. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief over the incident and directed officials to speed up rescue and relief operations. He has also instructed an investigation into the causes of the incident, to be led by the ADG Agra and Commissioner Aligarh.
