At least 116 dead in stampede at religious event in Hathras

The tragedy occurs as devotees try to leave the venue after a ‘satsang’ led by preacher Bhole Baba

- BISWAJEET BANERJEE

More than 100 people, mostly women, died on Tuesday following a major stampede during a religious event at the Phulrai village in Sikandra Rau area of Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh. The tragedy occurred as people tried to exit a specially erected tent after a sermon by religious preacher Bhole Baba.

Aligarh Range Inspector General of Police Shalabh Mathur put the death toll at 116.

Twenty-seven bodies were brought to a hospital in the neighbouring Etah district. Senior Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar Singh said 23 of them were women. And 89 lay dead in Hathras itself.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have expressed their condolences. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a probe and instructed the Additional Director General of Police and the Commissioner to submit a report within 24 hours.

“It was a satsang meeting of Bhole Baba. Temporary permission was granted for the gathering at the spot on the border of Etah and Hathras district on Tuesday afternoon,” said Inspector General Shalabh Mathur.