Atleast 27 people have been killed in a stampede at a religious event in Hathras, UP. A high-level team has been constituted by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to inquire into the causes of the tragedy.
As per initial reports, 27 people have been killed in the stampede, while officials fear that the death toll could rise, as many of the injured are in critical condition. According to the Hathras SSP office, the religious event was taking place in Mughal Garhi village of Hathras district when the stampede occurred.
Meanwhile, the bodies are being brought to Etah hospital, and their identification process is underway, as per information given by Etah SSP Rajesh Kumar Singh.
Singh said,
“The injured have not yet reached the hospital. Further investigation is being carried out.”
A high-level team, which includes the Additional Director General, Agra Zone, and the Police Commissioner, Aligarh, has been tasked with finding the causes of the Hathras stampede.
As stated, 27 persons, including three children, lost their lives at the religious event for Lord Shiva, which was held in Hathras. The satsang was organized by the Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavna Samagam Committee. The stampede happened as the event concluded. The Chief Medical Officer, Rajkumar Aggarwal, told a media house that the hospital has received 27 bodies.
Etah SSP Rajesh Kumar Singh said,
“A religious event was going on in a village of Hathras district when the stampede occurred. So far, 27 dead bodies have been received in the Etah Hospital, including 23 women, 3 children, and 1 man. The injured have not reached the hospital… Further investigation is being carried out. Identification of these 27 bodies is being carried out.”
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.”
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to reach the site immediately and fast-track the relief work. This included the Director General of Police, along with two senior ministers and the Chief Secretary. He also instructed officials to ensure the injured are receiving proper treatment at the hospital.
President Droupadi Murmu expresses deepest condolences to those who lost their family members in the stampede.
