Hathras stampede: Poor planning or something else, what caused the commotion, tragedy?

A stampede at a large religious gathering in northern India killed more than 120 people on Tuesday (Jul 2) whilealsoinjuring dozens. The incident emerged to be one of the deadliest such accidents in recent years.

The witnesses and authorities have said that the stampede among thousands of attendees is believed to have begun as the event, led by a Hindu guru known locally as Bhole Baba, was ending. A probe is on to find the reason behind the commotion.

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What caused the deadly stampede?

The religious event was held in a large tent at a village in Hathras district, which is located in Uttar Pradesh state and around 250,000 people were gathered thereeven though the event apparently had permission for 80,000 people. The authorities have not revealed how many people were inside the tent.

A senior police officer, Shalabh Mathur, said, "Initial reports suggest that the closed enclosure of the tent led to suffocation, causing discomfort and panic among attendees."

A large group of devotees surged towards the preacher when he descended from the stage, officials said, further adding that they just wanted to touch him. Some reports even claimed that people were trying to collect soil from around his feet. The rush led to chaos as volunteers struggled to intervene.

The autopsies carried out at a government hospital in Agra have revealed that blood accumulation in the thoracic cavity due to chest injuries, asphyxia and rib injuries were the leading causes of death.

An early police report said that thousands of people reportedly rushed towards the exits at that point, and a preliminary report by the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) said that the chaos was caused after the followers of preacher, Narayan Sakaar Hari, were pushed by his security personnel. Many people fell and were crushed by the masses, with the slippery, muddy ground after rains making the situation even worse.

The SDM, who gave permission for the 'Satsang' (religious congregation), was also present at the venue when the incident occurred, according to the preliminary report, which was submitted by Sikandra Rau SDM to the district magistrate (DM).

Watch this report:

"A crowd of more than 2 lakh people was present in the satsang pandal. Shri Narayan Saakaar Hari (Bhole Baba) reached the Satsang pandal at about 12.30 pm and the programme went on for 1 hour," the report said.

"After this, at about 1.40 pm, Shri Narayan Saakaar Hari (Bhole Baba) came out of the pandal to go towards Etah on National Highway-91," it added.

"Satsangi women/men/children etc. started applying the dust near Baba's feet on their foreheads (while trying) to get his darshan, touch his feet and take his blessings," read the report dated July 2.

Considering all the factors, poor planning, massive overcrowding, insufficient exits, misarrangementand bad weather are some of the factors that may have contributed to the high death toll.

(With inputs from agencies)