BTN News: More than 100 people died on Tuesday during a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh, India. The tragic incident happened in Mughal Garhi village, Hathras district, at a prayer meeting called satsang. The event drew a huge crowd and ended in a disaster when many people were crushed. Officials are looking into what caused the incident and how it was handled.
Large Crowd Causes Deadly Stampede at Religious Gathering
During the satsang in Mughal Garhi, a village about 200 kilometers from New Delhi, a sudden rush caused a deadly stampede. Local police said that at least 116 people died, though the number might increase. The bodies of 27 victims were taken to Etah district’s morgue, while the rest were in Hathras. Witnesses described the terrible scene where people fell and got trampled. Shakuntala Devi, a survivor, told the Press Trust of India, “People started falling on each other. Those who were crushed couldn’t survive. Others pulled them out.”
Rescue Efforts and Investigation to Determine Cause of Incident
Rescue teams are giving medical care to the injured and conducting post-mortem exams. Inspector General Shalabh Mathur said that a police report will be filed against the event organizers for possibly allowing too many people. A high-level committee has been formed to investigate the incident. Aligarh Commissioner, Chaitra V, confirmed 116 deaths and 18 injuries and said that investigations are ongoing.
Government Expresses Condolences and Assures Help for Victims
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the tragedy in a speech to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament. He said the government is working on relief and rescue operations and is coordinating efforts with state authorities. “Victims will get all the help they need,” Modi promised. Hathras district magistrate Ashish Kumar explained that the incident happened as people were leaving the event, held to honor the Hindu deity Shiva. Although police gave permission for the private event, organizers were in charge of the arrangements inside.
Similar Past Events and Future Safety Measures for Large Gatherings
This tragic event in Uttar Pradesh is similar to a disaster in January 2022, when a New Year’s stampede at a sacred shrine in Jammu killed at least ten people. Because of these repeated tragedies, authorities will likely review safety rules for large gatherings to stop future incidents. The high-level committee’s investigation will look into what went wrong and suggest ways to make sure such events are safer in the future.
Conclusion
The devastating stampede during the satsang in Uttar Pradesh has shocked the nation and raised questions about safety at events and crowd control. As families grieve their loved ones, authorities are working to support the victims and find out what caused this tragedy. The investigation will hopefully lead to stricter rules and better safety measures for future gatherings.
