“Satsang” turns into death trap; at least 50, including children, killed in stampede at UP’s Hathras

People died due to suffocation after the stampede broke out during the conclusion of a ‘Satsang’ at Phulrai village near Mandi of Sikandrarau in Hathras

In a horrifying incident, at least 50 people including children, died while many got injured in a stampede at a religious event in Phulrai village of Hathras district in Uttar Pradesh on July 2.

The incident occurred during a ‘satsang’ (religious congregation) organised by a religious leader named, Narayan Sarkar in Sikandrarau area of Hathras which was attended by over 10,000 people, mostly women, as per reports filed by The Hindu. The satsang was organised by the Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavna Samagam Committee.

The preacher has been holding such events under the banner of Sakaar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba for over two decades, The Indian Express said in its report.

The stampede apparently occurred due to overcrowding, Sikandara Rao police station SHO Ashish Kumar said. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the stampede. He instructed officials to reach the accident site and carry out relief measures, as per reports filed by livemint.com.

जनपद हाथरस की दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण दुर्घटना में हुई जनहानि अत्यंत दुःखद एवं हृदय विदारक है।

मेरी संवेदनाएं शोक संतप्त परिजनों के साथ हैं।

संबंधित अधिकारियों को राहत एवं बचाव कार्यों के युद्ध स्तर पर संचालन और घायलों के समुचित उपचार हेतु निर्देश दिए हैं।

उत्तर प्रदेश सरकार में मा.…

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) July 2, 2024

“We have been instructed by the CM to reach the Hathras incident site and look into the matter and take required decisions on behalf of the government. The number of deceased is continuously increasing…” UP Minister Sandeep Singh told news agency ANI.

Hathras DM Ashish Kumar reportedly said “District administration is investigating the matter. The injured are being taken to the hospital and people are still being recovered. A figure of nearly 50-60 deaths has been reported to me by the doctors. Permission for the event to be held was given by the SDM and it was a private event. A high-level committee has been formed to investigate the matter. The primary focus of the administration is to provide all possible help to the injured and kin of the deceased…”

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Hathras Stampede | Hathras DM Ashish Kumar says, "… District administration is investigating the matter. The injured are being taken to the hospital and people are still being recovered… A figure of nearly 50-60 deaths has been reported to me by the… pic.twitter.com/vHfypBJ9QO

— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2024

As per reports filed by India Today, an eyewitness said, “We had come for the Satsang. It was a large crowd. Once the satsang ended, we started leaving. The exit was narrow. As we tried to exit towards the field, suddenly, a commotion started, and we didn’t know what to do. Many people have died.”
“After the satsang ended, everyone came out. Outside, the road was built at a height with a drain below. One after the other, people started falling into it. Some people got crushed,” said another eyewitness.

Leaders express Condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “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. The administration is engaged in relief and rescue work under the supervision of the state government. Senior officials of the central government are in constant touch with the Uttar Pradesh government. I assure everyone through this House that the victims will be helped in every way.”

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "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. The administration is engaged… pic.twitter.com/UasFmME0br

— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2024

President Droupadi Murmu twitted, “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 express my deepest condolences to those who lost their family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured”

उत्तर प्रदेश के हाथरस जिले में हुई दुर्घटना में महिलाओं और बच्चों सहित अनेक श्रद्धालुओं की मृत्यु का समाचार हृदय विदारक है। मैं अपने परिवारजनों को खोने वाले लोगों के प्रति गहन शोक संवेदना व्यक्त करती हूं तथा घायल हुए लोगों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करती हूं।

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 2, 2024

Taking to X, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wrote, “The incident that happened in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh is extremely painful. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families of those who have lost their loved ones in this. I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is providing all possible help to all the victims”

उत्तर प्रदेश के हाथरस ज़िले में हुआ हादसा अत्यंत पीड़ादायक है। इस दुर्घटना में जिन्होंने अपनों को खोया है, उन शोकाकुल परिजनों के प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएं। इसके साथ ही मैं सभी घायलों के जल्द से जल्द स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूं। राज्य सरकार की देखरेख में स्थानीय प्रशासन सभी…

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 2, 2024

COMMENTS