A tragic stampede at a religious gathering in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh of India, claimed the lives of at least At least 116 people, including 108 women and seven children, NDTV reported citing officials on Tuesday.
The incident occurred during a `satsang` (prayer meeting), with distressing scenes at the Community Health Centre showing bodies being transported by buses and tempos, surrounded by grieving relatives.
The state`s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath promptly acknowledged the incident and directed the formation of a committee to investigate.
President Droupadi Murmu extended her condolences to the families affected by this devastating event.
Hathras District Magistrate Ashish Kumar stated that initial reports from the community health centre indicated 50-60 fatalities, with an additional 27 confirmed by officials in Etah district.
"The stampede occurred in a village within the jurisdiction of Sikandra Rao police station in Hathras. The injured are being treated in hospitals. Doctors at the community health centre informed me that 50-60 people lost their lives.
Later in the evening, Inspector General (Aligarh Range) Shalabh Mathur, said the number had gone up to 116.
This was a private event for which permission was granted by the sub-divisional magistrate. While security arrangements were handled by the administration, other aspects were the responsibility of the organizers," Kumar explained.
Dr. Umesh Kumar Tripathi, Chief Medical Officer of Etah, reported receiving 27 bodies, including 25 females and 2 males, with several injured individuals also hospitalized. Reports indicated the stampede occurred during the `satsang`.
Senior Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar of Etah confirmed that among the deceased were three children.
"So far, 27 bodies have been taken to the hospital, including 23 women and three children," Kumar stated.
An attendee of the `satsang` mentioned that the event was held in honor of a local guru, and the stampede began as attendees were departing.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath pledged urgent relief and rescue operations and ensured adequate medical care for the injured. State ministers Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary and Sandeep Singh, along with senior officials, were dispatched to the village for immediate assistance.
A committee, led by the Additional Director General of Police from Agra and the Aligarh Commissioner, has been constituted to investigate the incident.
A compensation of 2 lakh rupees each has been announced for the families of the dead and 50,000 rupees for the injured. Officials said a case will be registered against the organisers.
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