Hathras Stampede: Did Suffocation Cause Havoc? Here's What Police And Eyewitnesses Say

In Uttar Pradesh's Hathras, a stampede at a religious event led to 107 deaths, mostly women. Overcrowding and suffocation inside a closed tent were cited as causes. The local government plans to file charges against the organisers.

In a heart-wrenching incident, as per the latest death toll 116 people, mainly women, lost their lives in a stampede during a religious event in Rati Bhanpur village, Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday.

The tragedy struck at a satsang (religious meeting) organized by the well-known preacher Bhole Baba, where a large crowd had gathered.

Photo Credit: PTI

Hathras Stampede: Did Suffocation Cause Havoc?

The unfortunate incident occurred when devotees attempted to leave the venue after the religious session concluded. Eyewitnesses reported to PTI that the stampede began as the crowd, caught in a moment of panic, tried to exit the confined space.

Emergency Response and Casualties

Those who were dead or unconscious were hastily transported to the Sikandara Rao Trauma Centre, with bodies and the injured crammed into trucks and other makeshift vehicles. The scene at the trauma center was chaotic, reflecting the magnitude of the disaster.

Ashish Kumar, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Sikandra Rao police station, confirmed that the stampede was triggered by overcrowding and panic as people attempted to leave the venue. The Uttar Pradesh government responded by announcing that an FIR would be registered against the event organizers to hold them accountable for the tragedy.

Official Statements and Investigations

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences via a statement on X (formerly Twitter), describing the incident as "extremely sad and heart-wrenching." He directed local authorities to ensure that the injured receive prompt medical attention and that relief efforts at the site are expedited.

Inspector General Shalabh Mathur, responsible for the Aligarh Range, provided further details on the incident. He explained that the satsang was held inside a large, enclosed tent, which likely contributed to the feeling of suffocation and subsequent panic among the attendees. "It appears that the closed environment and the large crowd led to suffocation, causing panic and a rush towards the exits," Mathur said.

Eyewitness Accounts and Survivors' Testimonies

Jyoti, a teenage survivor receiving treatment at Etah's district hospital, recounted the horror of the stampede. She described how the dense crowd tried to leave the enclosure simultaneously, leading to chaos and a fatal crush. "Everyone tried to leave at once, and there was no clear way out. People fell on each other, and the narrow exits were blocked by parked motorcycles, adding to the chaos," she explained.

Government and Political Reactions

The tragedy has drawn responses from both state and national leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu offered their condolences to the families affected by the disaster, calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the state government for inadequate crowd management and safety measures. "We learned of the incident while in the Lok Sabha. It raises serious questions about the government's responsibility in ensuring the safety of such large gatherings. The government must provide immediate support to the families of the victims and ensure proper medical care for the injured," Yadav emphasized.