A deadly stampede during a ‘satsang’ in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, claimed the lives of 121 people on Tuesday. Scores of bodies lay on blocks of ice inside a government hospital, while grieving relatives waited outside to take their loved ones’ remains home. The victims were among the thousands who had gathered near Phulrai village in the Sikandrarau area for a ‘satsang’ led by religious preacher Bhole Baba. The stampede occurred around 3:30 pm. According to an eyewitness, thousands of people were present at the venue, and when Baba was leaving, many rushed to touch his feet. As they were returning, people slipped and fell over each other as parts of the ground had become boggy due to water overflowing from a nearby drain. Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh told PTI that overcrowding was a major factor in the stampede. Singh mentioned that the event organizers had estimated 80,000 attendees in their permission application, but the actual number was much higher. Reports indicated that nearly 2.5 lakh people attended the ‘satsang’.
