EXPLAINER
Tragedy struck as at least 121 people, mostly women, lost their lives in a crowd crush during a religious gathering with Hindu guru Bhole Baba in India’s Hathras district.
A large crowd of 250,000 devotees gathered for a prayer meeting, with chaos erupting when the religious leader, Bhole Baba, left the tent after the event. Scores of people rushed towards him, resulting in the fatal stampede.
What happened in Hathras?
The incident occurred during a satsang prayer meeting held in a village in Hathras, where Bhole Baba, a Dalit leader, was the main attraction. The overcrowded tent led to a tragic crush as people clamored to touch his feet.
Who are the victims?
- Reports confirm 121 fatalities, including 112 women and seven children. Over 80 others were injured and admitted to hospitals.
Where exactly did this happen?
- The tragedy unfolded in a paddy field in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the risks of crowded religious gatherings in the region.
Why did the stampede in Hathras happen?
Factors contributing to the stampede include overcrowding, lack of exits in the tent, and slippery terrain, exacerbated by rain on the day of the event.
How have authorities responded?
- An FIR has been filed against the event organizers, and a search is underway for Bhole Baba. Government officials, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, have visited the site to meet with victims’ families.
Have crowd crushes happened in India before?
- Unfortunately, crowd crushes are not uncommon in India, with several tragic incidents occurring at religious gatherings in the past, prompting calls for better safety measures.
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