A tragic stampede at a Hindu religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district has resulted in the deaths of at least 116 people and left more than a dozen injured, authorities report.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when a large crowd gathered in a village approximately 200 km southeast of New Delhi for a sermon by a preacher. As people were leaving, a sudden dust storm caused panic, leading to the deadly crush.
Many of the victims were trampled or fell into a roadside drain amid the chaos. The majority of the deceased are women and children, according to Prashant Kumar, the Director General of Police in Uttar Pradesh. Senior police officer Shalabh Mathur confirmed the casualty numbers and added that at least 18 people were injured.
Witnesses described the rapid escalation of the stampede. “Everyone was in a rush to leave. There was no way out, and people were falling on each other,” said Jyoti, a survivor. Another attendee, Shakuntala, recounted that “when the sermon finished, everyone started running out.”
Unverified social media videos showed bodies piled outside a local hospital, though these have not been independently confirmed.
Initial reports suggest that overcrowding contributed to the tragedy, with more than 15,000 people attending an event that had a capacity for about 5,000.
State Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered an investigation and directed officials to conduct relief and rescue operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced compensation for the victims’ families and the injured, expressing condolences and wishing for a speedy recovery of the injured.
Deadly incidents at religious gatherings are unfortunately common in India, where safety measures are often insufficient for the large crowds. Previous disasters include a 2016 temple explosion in Kerala that killed 112 people and a 2008 stampede in Rajasthan that resulted in 224 deaths.
Images and Reactions
Photos show mourners next to the bodies of their relatives outside Sikandrarao Hospital in Hathras. The community is in shock as they grapple with the aftermath of this devastating event.
Official Statements
President Droupadi Murmu described the deaths as “heart-rending” and offered her “deepest condolences.” Meanwhile, Chief Minister Adityanath assured the public that relief efforts are underway.
This incident highlights the urgent need for better crowd management and safety protocols during large religious gatherings in India.
