Dozens murdered in rush at religious event in India
Date
7/17/2024 6:41:06 AM
(MENAFN) A devastating stampede during a religious event in India has resulted in the deaths of dozens of attendees, with reports indicating that at least 116 individuals have lost their lives and many others sustained injuries. Among the victims were women and young children, some as young as four years old.
The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state. According to Police reports, the stampede was triggered by “suffocation” at the venue, which led attendees to rush outside in a panic. The event featured a sermon by Bhole Baba, a prominent Hindu preacher, and was attended predominantly by women.
Graphic footage circulated on social media shortly after the tragedy, depicting numerous bodies—mainly those of women—lying on the ground or being transported in trucks and cars. Eyewitness accounts reveal that chaos ensued when the sermon concluded, prompting a surge of people trying to exit the venue simultaneously. One survivor, Jyoti, recounted, “Suddenly there was pushing and shoving as there were more people than space allowed.”
Witnesses also noted that the local health center, which received many of the survivors and deceased, was severely understaffed, with only one doctor present to manage the influx of casualties. Local officials indicated that the event was a private gathering and had been organized with the necessary permissions from authorities.
This tragedy underscores the urgent need for improved crowd management and safety protocols at large gatherings, particularly in a country where religious events often attract significant numbers of participants. The incident has raised serious questions about the measures in place to ensure the safety and well-being of attendees in such high-density situations.
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