A religious gathering led by self-styled godman Narayan Sakar Hari, known as "Bhole Baba," turned fatal near Fulari village on National Highway-91 in Hathras. The event, attended by over 200,000 people, tragically resulted in a stampede claiming the lives of nearly 121 individuals and injuring hundreds more.
According to a letter by Hathras Sub Divisional Magistrate Sikandra Rao, the gathering began peacefully with Bhole Baba arriving at the Satsang platform around 12:30 PM. The program proceeded for an hour before chaos ensued.
At approximately 1:40 PM, as Bhole Baba departed towards Etah on National Highway-91, devotees rushed to receive his blessings. In their fervor, people started gathering around his vehicle, attempting to touch his feet and seek blessings. This led to a commotion as security personnel and attendants pushed back the surging crowd, causing some to fall.
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The situation quickly escalated as people, desperate for darshan (blessings), tried to approach Bhole Baba's vehicle. Many fell and were trampled upon as the crowd surged forward. Witnesses described a scene of panic and chaos as people ran towards an open field adjacent to the venue, resulting in more injuries and casualties.
Rescue efforts by revenue and police personnel swiftly sent the injured to nearby hospitals and health centers via ambulances. Despite these efforts, 116 devotees were declared dead—89 on arrival at the scene and an additional 27 at Etah district hospitals. The victims included men, women, and children, with 23 others sustaining injuries, receiving treatment across various hospitals in Hathras and Aligarh.
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The tragic incident underscores the dangers of overcrowded events and the challenges of managing large religious gatherings. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading to the stampede, focusing on crowd control measures and ensuring public safety at such events in the future.
In conclusion, the Hathras stampede has left a deep impact, claiming numerous lives and leaving many injured. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for stringent safety protocols during mass gatherings, emphasizing the importance of effective crowd management and emergency response measures to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
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