Hathras Tragedy: Stampede at Religious Event Claims 116 Lives

In a devastating incident, a stampede at a religious event in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, has claimed the lives of 116 people, including 3 children and 15 women.

The tragedy occurred as the event for Lord Shiva, organized by the Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavna Samagam Committee, was concluding, and a large crowd of attendees was trying to exit through a narrow passage.

Eyewitness Accounts

Eyewitnesses have recounted the horrific scenes that unfolded. “There was a sudden commotion as the crowd tried to leave the venue,” said one attendee. “People started pushing and shoving, and many were trampled in the chaos.”

Another witness described the scene as “absolute pandemonium,” with people desperately trying to escape the crush of the crowd. “It was a nightmare, with people crying out for help and bodies lying on the ground,” the witness added.

Government Response

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed deep anguish over the incident and has directed officials to provide immediate relief and ensure proper treatment for the injured.

“This is a tragic and heartbreaking incident. I have instructed the authorities to spare no effort in providing the best possible medical care to the injured and to ensure that the families of the deceased receive all the necessary support,” the Chief Minister said.

The state government has announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of each of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Senior ministers, the Director General of Police, and the Chief Secretary have been dispatched to the site to oversee the rescue and relief operations.

Investigation and Safety Measures

Authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the stampede, which appears to have been triggered by overcrowding and a lack of proper crowd management measures.

“We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the factors that led to this tragedy and take appropriate measures to prevent such incidents in the future,” said a senior police official.

The Hathras tragedy has once again highlighted the urgent need for better safety protocols and crowd management strategies at large-scale events. The authorities have vowed to learn from this incident and implement necessary reforms to ensure the safety of the public.