Tragedy Strikes Satsang: 116 Killed in Hathras Stampede
In a devastating stampede at a satsang in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras, 116 people, including women and children, lost their lives. The tragedy occurred as the event concluded, leading to chaos as devotees surged to catch a glimpse of self-styled godman Narayan Sakar Hari, also known as Bhole Baba. The state government has launched an investigation and dispatched ministers to oversee relief efforts.
Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes of suffocation and panic, with bodies piling up and victims being rushed to local hospitals. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow and announced compensation for the victims. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences, with Modi halting his parliamentary speech to address the tragedy.
The incident has sparked criticism of the state government’s handling of crowd control, with opposition leaders calling for accountability and better safety measures. The police are actively searching for Bhole Baba, who remains untraceable since the incident.
उत्तर प्रदेश के हाथरस जिले में हुई दुर्घटना में महिलाओं और बच्चों सहित अनेक श्रद्धालुओं की मृत्यु का समाचार हृदय विदारक है। मैं अपने परिवारजनों को खोने वाले लोगों के प्रति गहन शोक संवेदना व्यक्त करती हूं तथा घायल हुए लोगों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करती हूं।
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 2, 2024
