HATHRAS, 3 July 2024– A tragic stampede at a Hindu religious ceremony in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, has claimed the lives of at least 120 people, with many more injured. The incident occurred on Tuesday, July 2, during a 'satsang' ceremony dedicated to Lord Shiva in the village of Rativanpur. Most of the deceased are reported to be women and children, and the death toll is expected to rise.

The chaos ensued immediately after the conclusion of the 'satsang' ceremony. Thousands of attendees attempted to leave the venue simultaneously, resulting in a deadly stampede. Many victims were trampled underfoot in the ensuing panic.

Rajesh Kumar Singh, SSP of Itahar, confirmed the scale of the tragedy, stating that most of the recovered bodies were women and children. The victims were transported to hospitals in Aligarh and Etah for further medical attention.

Rajesh Kumar Singh described the incident, saying, "This tragic event occurred during the Bholebaba Satsang ceremony in Phulrai village under Sikandrarao police station. The sudden rush to exit after the ceremony led to the stampede, causing significant loss of life."

The exact cause of the stampede is still under investigation. Aligarh IG noted, "We are still trying to determine the precise cause of the incident. The religious ceremony dedicated to Lord Shiva drew thousands of attendees, and the chaos at the end of the event resulted in this tragic loss of life."

The incident has elicited reactions from various levels of government and political leaders. President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have all expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. Prime Minister Modi has announced compensation for the victims' families and has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to conduct a thorough investigation and take immediate action.

Local residents have expressed concerns about the adequacy of the emergency response. Many injured individuals were transported to hospitals, but there were reports of insufficient medical staff to handle the influx of patients. Residents have also criticized the police and administrative response, citing a lack of preparedness and coordination in handling the aftermath of the stampede.

The tragic incident underscores the urgent need for improved crowd management and emergency preparedness at large public gatherings to prevent such occurrences in the future. The investigation will aim to uncover the causes of the stampede and implement measures to avoid similar tragedies.

Hathras gained national attention in September 2020 following the gang-rape of a Dalit girl, which sparked widespread outrage and highlighted issues of safety and justice. Tuesday's tragedy further emphasizes the need for enhanced safety protocols at public events to ensure the well-being of all attendees.