WEB DESK
At least 100 people, mostly women and children, were killed in a devastating stampede during a religious congregation in Pulrai village, Hathras district, on Tuesday. The incident, which also left several injured, occurred at a ‘satsang’ led by the religious preacher Bhole Baba.
Earlier, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed the fatalities, noting that 27 bodies had been brought to Etah Hospital. Among the deceased were 23 women, three children, and one man. “This is a very unfortunate incident. May their souls rest in peace,” SSP Singh said.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased and has instructed the administration to facilitate rescue operations. The CM has announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the dead and Rs 50 thousand to the injured.
Speaking to the media soon after the incident, a senior police officer, Rajesh Kumar Singh, said that the stampede took place at a religious event that was going on in a village of Hathras district. The stampede likely took place due to overcrowding, another police officer said.
The religious event was held in Hathras. As the event concluded, a stampede ensued, resulting in the death of more than 80 people, including women and children. The satsang was organised by the Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavna Samagam Committee.
Recalling the horrific incident, 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.