Over 50 Dead, Several Injured in Stampede at Religious Event in UP’s Hathras
02.07.2024: A tragic stampede occurred during a religious event in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district, resulting in the deaths of over 50 people, mostly women, and leaving several others injured. The incident took place on Tuesday at Ratibhanpur village under the Sikandra Rau tehsil during a satsang led by a religious preacher and his wife.
Details of the Incident
The event, organized by the preacher known as Bhole Baba, had drawn a large crowd of approximately 15,000 people. The preacher, who operates under the banner of Sakaar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba, has been holding such events for over two decades. The stampede occurred during the session, causing chaos and suffocation among the attendees.
Official Statements and Response
Shalabh Mathur, Inspector General of Police, Aligarh range, stated, “A temporary permission was granted for the gathering at the spot situated on the border of Etah and Hathras districts.” The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Etah, Umesh Kumar Tripathi, confirmed, “So far, we have 27 bodies at the Etah Medical College mortuary. Among those dead are 25 women and two men. Several injured persons have been admitted to the medical college. As per a rough estimate, at least 150 injured are admitted here.”
Rescue and Relief Efforts
Rajesh Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police, Etah, noted, “The strength of the medical college to accommodate patients has been exhausted, and we have asked private hospitals to spare beds for stampede victims. The relief and rescue measures are underway on a war footing.” He added that the majority of deaths were due to suffocation.
Government Action
In response to the disaster, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has constituted an inquiry team, including the additional director general, Agra Zone, and the police commissioner of Aligarh, to investigate the causes of the stampede. The government is determined to understand what led to this tragic event and ensure such incidents do not occur in the future.
About Bhole Baba
The religious preacher, whose real name is Narain Sakar Hari, has been active in the region for nearly 27 years. He started his religious preaching after quitting his government job and has since become a well-known figure in the area.