More than 100 killed in a crush at India religious event

More than 100 killed in a crush at India religious event

At least 116 people have lost their lives in a stampede during a religious gathering in northern India, according to Police Inspector General Shalabh Mathur.

The tragic incident occurred at a satsang, a Hindu religious event, in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh. Many of the victims, including women and children, are still being identified.

Survivors recounted the chaotic scene as they attempted to exit the event in Mughalgarhi village. Witnesses reported that a narrow exit and a sudden dust storm caused confusion and panic, leading to a stampede where many were trampled.

An anonymous eyewitness described the sudden turn of events, saying everything was peaceful until screams erupted and people began falling on each other. “Many were crushed and I could do nothing. I feel fortunate to have survived,” the eyewitness told the BBC.

Another witness, Shakuntala, told the Press Trust of India that after the sermon ended, a rush to leave resulted in people falling into a drain by the roadside, leading to multiple deaths.

Umesh Kumar Tripathi, the chief medical officer of the nearby Etah district, confirmed that at least three children were among the deceased due to the stampede.

Authorities are still working to ascertain the exact number of casualties, with a spokesperson for Uttar Pradesh police estimating it will take several hours to finalize the tally.

Distressing images from the site are being circulated online. Some videos showed the injured being taken to hospitals in pick-up trucks, tuk tuks and even motorbikes.

A clip seen by the BBC showed several bodies left at the entrance of a local hospital as relatives screamed for help.

“Such a huge accident has happened but not a single senior officer is present here,” a relative in another video said. “Where is the administration?”

Mr Kumar said the venue had been overcrowded, adding that a high-level committee had been formed to investigate the incident.

“The primary focus of the administration is to provide all possible help to the injured and kin of the deceased,” he said.

A video shared by news agency PTI showed the wounded being brought to a hospital for treatment.

“Procedure of post-mortem is under way and the matter is being investigated,” official Satya Prakash in the neighbouring district of Etah said.

In Hathras, the screams of distraught family members can be heard in the local hospital.

Many people are trying to find their loved ones, many bodies are unclaimed.

There is a shortage of ambulances – each one is bringing two to three bodies. Hathras is filled with despair and pain.

Accidents are routinely reported at religious events in India, as huge crowds gather in tight spaces with little adherence to safety measures.

In 2018, around 60 people were killed after a train rammed into a crowd watching celebrations for Dusshera, a Hindu festival.

In 2013, a crush at a Hindu festival in the central state of Madhya Pradesh had killed 115 people.