Over 100 dead in stampede during Hindu religious event in UP
Lucknow: Over 100 people, mostly women, died while 150 got injured in a stampede during a Hindu religious event in Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, today.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the stampede occurred during a satsang (prayer meeting) in a village within the Sikandra Rao police station limits in Hathras which was reportedly attended by 10,000 people, mostly women.
District Magistrate Hathras, Ashish Kumar confirmed that over 100 people have lost their lives in the tragedy so far. Reports indicate that approximately 150 individuals sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals.
Heart-wrenching visuals were shared by eyewitnesses from the spot in which bodies were lying outside the post-mortem house while kin of the deceased were crying for help but to no avail. Eyewitnesses, talking to media, also said that over 100 people were lying unconscious at satsang spot and the administration ran shot of ambulances to take them to hospitals.
The stampede happened amidst a large gathering for the religious event, with overcrowding cited as the primary cause by SHO Ashish Kumar of Sikandra Rao police station.
According to Etah district SP Rajesh Kumar Singh, the tragedy unfolded as attendees, packed tightly in a small hall, rushed to exit after the conclusion of the satsang, resulting in people falling over each other and triggering the stampede.
