📷 Image Credits: The Times of India
The Hathras district in India witnessed a tragic incident at a religious gathering for the Hindu guru, Bhole Baba, where over 120 people lost their lives in a stampede. The event, attended by thousands of devotees, turned chaotic when devotees rushed towards the guru, leading to a deadly crush. The incident unfolded as the guru was leaving the tent after a prayer meeting, causing panic and chaos among the attendees.
Authorities are investigating the factors that contributed to the stampede, including massive overcrowding, insufficient exits, and poor planning. The closed enclosure of the tent, in combination with sweltering heat and high humidity, led to suffocation and panic among the attendees. The event, permitted for 80,000 people, saw a turnout of around 250,000, exacerbating the overcrowding issue.
Bhole Baba, also known as Suraj Pal, is a Dalit leader with a significant following, particularly among lower castes, women, and the poor. His organization had spent over two weeks preparing for the event, which tragically resulted in the loss of numerous lives.
Deadly crowd surges during religious events are not uncommon in India, where safety measures and crowd control are often lacking. Stampedes like the one in Hathras highlight the need for stringent safety measures and better coordination among event organizers, authorities, and disaster management agencies.
The tragedy in Hathras serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with overcrowded religious gatherings and the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of attendees. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the stampede.
