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Stampede At Hindu Religious Event In India Claims 121 Lives

A stampede at a Hindu religious event in Uttar Pradesh, India, resulted in 121 fatalities and 28 injuries as attendees far exceeded the permitted capacity. The chaos ensued when the preacher, Surajpal, attempted to leave, causing a crush among the devotees.

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Aqsa Younas Rana
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The stampede at a religious gathering in India has claimed the lives of over 116 people.

A stampede at a Hindu religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh, India, left 121 dead and 28 injured.

The death toll from a stampede at a Hindu religious congregation in northern India has risen to 121. The tragedy occurred in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh state, approximately 200 km (125 miles) southeast of New Delhi, where the police report indicated the number of attendees was more than three times the permitted capacity.

The stampede on Tuesday took place during a religious event in a village where police had authorized a gathering of 80,000 people. However, the first information report revealed that the actual attendance far exceeded this limit. Among the victims were 108 women and seven children, as confirmed by Manoj Kumar Singh, Uttar Pradesh state’s chief secretary. Additionally, 28 people were injured in the chaos.

Why This Matters: The report described a scene of pandemonium when the preacher, Surajpal, also known as ‘Bhole Baba’, attempted to leave in his car. Thousands of devotees surged towards the vehicle, causing a crush that trapped and trampled many attendees. Some people also fell into an adjacent field of slush and mud, exacerbating the deadly situation.

Local media reported that the event was organized by a group of devotees, but specific individuals have not been identified. Police officials in Hathras were unavailable for immediate comment, and efforts were underway to determine the preacher's whereabouts.

Among the devotees was Kamla, who had been attending the preacher’s gatherings for two decades. “I went to attend satsang (religious meet) with my 16-year-old daughter, and a stampede broke out around 2 in the afternoon,” she said. Tragically, although both were injured, her daughter succumbed to her injuries in the hospital.

Key Takeaways:

  • Stampede at Hindu event in Uttar Pradesh leaves 121 dead, 28 injured.
  • Attendees exceeded permitted capacity by more than three times.
  • Victims included 108 women and seven children, per official reports.
  • Chaos erupted as preacher Surajpal attempted to leave in his car.
  • Efforts are ongoing to ascertain the whereabouts of the preacher.

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