Over 100 Killed In Stampede At Religious Event In Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras

More than 100 people, primarily women and children, died in a stampede during a heavily attended religious event in northern India's Uttar Pradesh state on Tuesday. Local officials suggest the oppressive heat contributed to the tragedy. With temperatures reaching 90 degrees and humidity levels at 77 percent, the heat index surpassed 110.

Ashish Kumar, the district magistrate of Hathras, stated that the incident occurred as people were leaving the congregation due to the excessive stuffiness towards the event's end. Chaitra V, a senior official overseeing the affected districts, reported to Aaj Tak channel that there was "adequate space" at the venue and the event had obtained proper permits.

Why This Matters: However, the problem arose when attendees rushed out, getting stuck in the sludge while seeking water to relieve themselves from the heat. The stampede resulted in the deaths of 107 people and injuries to 18 others.

The religious gathering, led by a local Hindu preacher, was held in an open-air venue with a tent for shade, as seen in videos and described by eyewitnesses. These events typically involve singing and congregants surrounding the preacher. Witnesses reported a massive crowd at the scene. The injured and deceased were transported to hospitals in Hathras and the neighboring Etah district.

Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, expressed condolences for the victims via a post on X. He directed local police and government officials to visit the stampede site, conduct relief and rescue operations, and ensure proper treatment for the injured.

This stampede is among the deadliest in India in recent years, though fatal crushes at religious events are not uncommon. In 2013, a similar incident at a temple event in India claimed the lives of at least 110 people.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 100 people, mostly women and children, died in a stampede.
• Oppressive heat and humidity contributed significantly to the disaster.
• Attendees rushed out for water, leading to chaos and fatalities.
• The religious event was properly permitted and had adequate space.
• Uttar Pradesh's chief minister ordered relief and rescue operations.