At least 116 killed in stampede at Hathras religious gathering, most victims women

A preliminary investigation points to a host of factors that led to the incident — thousands more than expected turning up at the satsang; many falling on the uneven surface while trying to collect soil the preacher had walked on before he left the venue; and healthcare facilities struggling to keep pace with the rush of dead and injured.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh said after visiting the area, “A total of 116 people have died — seven children, one man, and the rest women. Seventy-two deceased have been identified so far. No person is missing.”

“The chief sewadar (working for the preacher) had given an application that around 80,000 people will attend the programme. But many more arrived, breaching the limit. A huge police force was deployed. I am told that people rushed to touch his feet and tried to collect soil (from where he walked), and a stampede took place. Many people fell in a nearby drain,” he said.

There were a total of 78 people who helped organise the event, including a school principal, teachers, an engineer, and a soldier, officials said.

Asked if an FIR would be registered against the preacher, Singh said, “Bilkul hogi, ye badi ghatana hai (Certainly, this is a big incident).”

Among the dead was Kavita Devi’s 18-year-old daughter. “We came in a group of 80 people from a village in Badaun. My daughter was among the first to exit the venue, and afterwards, I got a call from her from the hospital. By the time I reached, doctors told us that she was dead,” she said. “The satsang happens on the first Tuesday of every month, in different areas. We have been attending it for seven years.”

The victims are residents of districts across western UP such as Mathura, Etah, Shahjahanpur, Bulandshahr, Kasganj and Hathras.

Hathras District Magistrate Ashish Kumar said the “private programme” had the permission of the sub-divisional magistrate. “Police were deployed to maintain law and order but the arrangement inside the compound was to be done by the organisers,” he said. “In this regard, a high-level committee has been set up to investigate if arrangements were done properly or not.”

According to officials, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has constituted a team, including the additional director general, Agra Zone, and police commissioner, Aligarh, to inquire into the cause of the stampede and submit a report within 24 hours. The CM has also announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the dead and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.

“I am told that this incident took place around 3.30 pm. The state government will go into the heart of the incident. Yeh haadsa hai ya saazish (is it an accident of a conspiracy), we will investigate it. Instead of expressing condolences, doing politics is unfortunate and condemnable,” he said.

Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said that “the conditions imposed by the SDM for the programme were not followed by the organisers”.

“An FIR is being registered and action will be taken against those found guilty. As far as administrative lapses are concerned, an investigation is underway and action will be taken after the submission of the report within 24 hours,” he said.

Umesh Kumar Tripathi, Chief Medical Officer, Etah, said 27 bodies had been received at the mortuary of the Etah Medical College. An officer said a bulk of deaths took place as a result of suffocation.

Rajesh Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police, Etah, said, “The strength of the medical college to accommodate patients has been exhausted and we have asked private hospitals to spare beds for victims.”

— With inputs from Amit Sharma