A stampede at a religious congregation in a village in the Hathras district on Tuesday resulted in at least 60 deaths and numerous injuries, police said. Hathras DM Ashish Kumar while speaking to reporters said, “… District administration is investigating the matter. The injured are being taken to the hospital and people are still being recovered… A figure of nearly 50-60 deaths has been reported to me by the doctors… Permission for the event to be held was given by the SDM and it was a private event… A high-level committee has been formed to investigate the matter… The primary focus of the administration is to provide all possible help to the injured and kin of the deceased…”
According to officials, a team led by the Agra additional director general of police and the Aligarh divisional commissioner will investigate the incident. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the stampede and directed officials to go to the accident site and carry out relief efforts.
Uttar Pradesh: A major incident has occurred in Ratibhanpur, Sikandra Rao, Hathras. A stampede in a satsang pavilion has resulted in the deaths of 27 people, including 19 women, and the death toll may rise. A large number of women, elderly people, and children have been injured,… https://t.co/UgKbWE7rYm pic.twitter.com/WmE2SRE57V
— IANS (@ians_india) July 2, 2024
Adityanath also directed the district administration to make arrangements for the injured to be properly treated and transported to hospitals as soon as possible. He wished them speedy recovery.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in Lucknow has requested a report on the stampede that killed at least 27 people during a religious event in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district on Tuesday. Officials said the death toll could be higher, but there has been no confirmation.
According to reports, a’satsang’ of Lord Shiva was held in Ratibhanpur, with a large crowd gathering to hear the religious discourse. “Suddenly, the atmosphere became very humid, and some people tried to leave the pandal, while others tried to push them back. According to a local source, this resulted in confusion and, eventually, the stampede.
VIDEO | Hathras Stampede: “In Etah Hospital, 27 bodies have been brought, out of which 23 are women, three are children and one is a man. As of now, no injured people have been brought. This is a very unfortunate incident. May their souls rest in peace,” says Etah SSP Rajesh… pic.twitter.com/N3LRkybDhj
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 2, 2024
The Chief Minister’s Office has requested a detailed report on the organisers of the’satsang’, stating that those found guilty will face strict penalties. Meanwhile, senior officials, including Agra ADG Aparna Kulshretra, have arrived at the scene to oversee rescue efforts. Additional police officers from neighbouring districts have also been called in.
