In a tragic incident in Phulrai village near Mandi of Sikandrarau in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, a stampede during a 'satsang' claimed the lives of 116 people, with suffocation cited as the primary cause of death. The event unfolded during the conclusion of the 'satsang', a Hindu religious congregation that often takes place overnight.
Stampede Meaning and Context
A stampede is a sudden, panicked rush of a crowd, usually resulting in injuries or fatalities due to trampling or suffocation. In Hindi, "stampede" translates to "भगदड़". The Hathras stampede news has shocked the nation, raising questions about crowd management and safety measures at large gatherings.
Incident Details
According to Senior Superintendent of Police, Etah, Rajesh Kumar Singh, "Twenty-seven bodies have arrived in Etah hospital. Among those killed are 23 women, three children, and a man." The stampede apparently occurred due to overcrowding, as confirmed by Ashish Kumar, SHO of Sikandara Rao police station.
Eyewitness Accounts
Heart-wrenching scenes were reported from the incident site. Vinod, a father who lost his 16-year-old daughter, wife, and mother in the tragedy, recounted his ordeal: "I did not even know that all three had gone to the satsang because I had gone somewhere outside. Someone told me that there was a stampede, and I rushed to the spot only to find that my loved ones had died. I could not even find my mother's body."
Outside Hathras hospital, bodies lay scattered as people milled around, consoling one another amid loud wails. A woman was seen crying among five or six bodies in a truck, pleading for help to retrieve her daughter's body.
Official Responses
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and instructed officials to reach the accident site to carry out relief measures. He also dispatched three ministers to oversee the situation. "More than the permitted number of people were present at the event. The stampede occurred when people, especially women, rushed to seek blessings of the saint presiding over the event," said BJP MLA Asim Arun.
Political Reactions
The incident has sparked a wave of political responses. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi called for a thorough investigation to determine the cause and ensure proper treatment for the injured. "The incident that took place in Hathras is sad. Proper investigation should be done on how the incident took place and how the State Government could not manage the crowd efficiently," he stated.
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi emphasized the need for the government to help the affected families sensitively. "The government should help people sensitively. I offer my condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones," Gandhi said.
Prime Minister's Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences and assured that the administration is engaged in relief and rescue work. "There are reports of many people dying in the stampede in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. I express my condolences to those who lost their lives in this accident. I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured," PM Modi said. He added that senior officials of the central government are in constant touch with the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure comprehensive aid to the victims.
Moving Forward
As the investigation into the stampede in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, continues, questions about the safety protocols at large religious gatherings persist. The incident has highlighted the need for stringent measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. The name of the baba or saint presiding over the satsang is yet to be disclosed, but the event's organizers are under scrutiny for allowing more attendees than permitted.
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Conclusion
The Hathras stampede has left a deep scar on the community, with families mourning their lost loved ones and the nation grappling with the gravity of the incident. As details continue to emerge, the focus remains on providing relief to the affected families and preventing future occurrences of such devastating events.
For more updates on Hathras stampede news and related developments, stay tuned to Hathras News Today.
