India Stampede Kills 121 Amid Massive Overcrowding
Severe overcrowding and a lack of exits caused a deadly
stampede at a religious festival in northern India, killing at least 121 people,
authorities reported on Wednesday. The incident occurred as a quarter of a
million attendees surged toward a preacher, creating chaos. Despite the event
being permitted for only 80,000 people, it is unclear how many were inside the
giant tent in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh.
The stampede began when the crowd rushed toward the
preacher, Bhole Baba, as he descended from the stage. Police indicated that
many slipped on the muddy ground, causing a crush at the exits. Most of the
victims were women. The chaos continued outside the tent when people ran toward
the preacher’s vehicle, further exacerbating the situation.
Authorities are investigating the event and searching for
the organizers, with police registering a case of culpable homicide against two
of them, though the preacher is excluded from this charge. A retired judge has
been appointed to inquire into the deaths.
Attorney A.P. Singh, representing the preacher, stated that
he would cooperate with authorities and blamed “anti-social elements” for the
chaos. Families of the victims, like Binod Sokhna, who lost his mother,
daughter, and wife, are grieving deeply.
Experts and officials criticized the event for violating
safety norms, noting insufficient exits and poor infrastructure. Similar
incidents have occurred at Indian religious festivals, highlighting ongoing
safety concerns.
State official Ashish Kumar confirmed the inadequate exits,
and disaster management expert Sanjay Srivastava emphasized the need for proper
safety measures. Resident Sonu Kumar, who assisted in moving the bodies,
condemned the preacher for leaving the scene amid the tragedy.
This incident adds to the history of deadly stampedes at
Indian religious events, with previous tragedies in Madhya Pradesh and Kerala
claiming numerous lives.
