Eighty-seven individuals, including children, perished in a stampede during a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh

A woman who participated in the 'satsang' mentioned that it was held to honor a local guru. 

In a tragic event, at least 87 people, including women and three children, lost their lives when a stampede erupted at a religious gathering in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday, according to officials. The incident took place during a 'satsang' (prayer meeting). Visuals from the Community Health Centre depicted several bodies being transported in buses and tempos, accompanied by grieving relatives.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has acknowledged the incident and, following his directives, a committee has been established to investigate the matter. President Droupadi Murmu also extended her condolences to the bereaved families.

Hathras District Magistrate Ashish Kumar reported that, based on data from the community health centre, 50-60 people were confirmed dead. Additionally, officials from Etah district verified the deaths of another 27 individuals.

"The stampede occurred in a village under the jurisdiction of Sikandra Rao police station in Hathras. The injured are being transported to hospitals. Doctors at the community health centre informed me that 50-60 people have died. This was a private event sanctioned by the sub-divisional magistrate. While the administration handled security arrangements, other logistics were the responsibility of the organizers," Mr. Kumar stated.

Chief Medical Officer of Etah, Dr. Umesh Kumar Tripathi, confirmed, "We have received 27 bodies, 25 of whom are female and two male. Some injured individuals have also been hospitalized. It appears the stampede happened during a 'satsang'."

Senior Superintendent of Police in Etah, Rajesh Kumar, mentioned that three children were among the deceased.

"Thus far, 27 bodies have been sent to the hospital, comprising 23 women and three children," Mr. Kumar added.

A woman who attended the 'satsang' explained that the event was organized in honor of a local guru, and the stampede occurred as the crowd was dispersing.

Probe Committee Formed

In a post on X, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that officials have been instructed to carry out relief and rescue operations urgently and to ensure proper medical care for the injured. State ministers Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary and Sandeep Singh, along with the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, have been dispatched to the village.

Offering his condolences to the families of the deceased, he stated that a committee has been set up to investigate the incident. The committee will be headed by the Additional Director General of Police, Agra, along with the Aligarh Commissioner.

President Droupadi Murmu expressed her sorrow in a post on X, describing the incident as heart-wrenching. "The news of the death of many devotees, including women and children, in the accident in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh is heart-rending. "I offer my heartfelt condolences to those who lost loved ones and pray for the swift recovery of the injured," she wrote in Hindi.