UP Hathras Stampede Highlights: UP Governor Anandiben Patel forms three-member panel to probe mishap

Blood accumulation in the thoracic cavity due to chest injuries, asphyxia and rib injuries were the causes of death of the Hathras stampede victims whose bodies were brought to a hospital in Agra for post-mortem, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Twenty-one bodies were brought to the S N Medical College and Hospital here after the stampede at a religious congregation in Pulrai village claimed 121 lives. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Arun Srivastava said according to post-mortem reports, people died due to blood accumulation in the thoracic cavity, asphyxia and rib injuries.

He said 21 bodies of people from Mathura, Agra, Pilibhit, Kasganj and Aligarh, etc., were brought to the S N Medical College and Hospital and a team of doctors conducted autopsies.

Family members of the victims started gathering at the post-mortem house on Tuesday night as the bodies began arriving there. The bodies were handed over to the victims' family after post-mortem examination. The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday announced a judicial probe into the Hathras tragedy.

A team from the National Commission for Women led by Chairperson Rekha Sharma and Member Secretary Meenakshi Negi, visited Hathras today. In a post on X, NCW wrote, "They met with the DM & SSP, and visited the hospital with CMO Hathras to meet the injured women victims of this grave tragedy."

Today, a team from the National Commission for Women, led by Hon’ble Chairperson Smt Rekha Sharma and Member Secretary Smt Meenakshi Negi, visited Hathras. They met with the DM & SSP, and visited the hospital with CMO Hathras to meet the injured women victims of this grave… pic.twitter.com/HkfaFw8JLJ

— NCW (@NCWIndia) July 3, 2024

In the event of a stampede moving towards you, Dr Kumar advised moving with the crowd and keeping a strong footing to avoid losing balance and causing injury to oneself and others.

However, if knocked off balance in a stampede, Dr Kumar noted the best response is to curl into a ball to protect vital organs and body parts like the head and the chest. “In such a position, a majority of the damage from the running mob will be absorbed by the back of the body. It is advisable to protect the head with one’s arms and hands curled around the head. The body should stay fluid and move with blows and kicks rather than stiffen against them, to reduce pain and damage,” he explained in an interaction.

Similarly, when running in the stampede, try to avoid being pushed into walls or vehicles as such situations may also lead to being knocked off balance or fatal injury.

Know more here.

A public interest litigation was filed in the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday demanding a CBI inquiry into the stampede at a religious congregation in Hathras which claimed 121 lives.

The PIL filed by advocate Gaurav Dwivedi said the district officials are "fully responsible" for the negligence that led to the stampede.

In his petition addressed to the chief justice and other judges, Dwivedi has said that it was learnt through media that more than a hundred people had died and many were injured in the stampede that took place after the 'satsang' in Hathras district.

The district officials have all the arrangements to deal with any untoward situation and the Uttar Pradesh government is spending a lot of money on the new technologies, the petition said. The petition has requested the high court to order a CBI inquiry into the incident to ensure a "fair probe", and demanded a direction to the state government to get the incident investigated by a special investigation team. (PTI)

The houses of the main organiser and accused Devprakash Madhukar and his associates were found locked after the incident in Hathras. Madhukar was named in the FIR and is an engineer by profession. A picture of Bhole Baba was installed on the house's main gate.

VIDEO | Hathras stampede: UP Congress chief Ajay Rai (@kashikirai) meets injured at Hathras district hospital. pic.twitter.com/xHeFtXV9T2

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 3, 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday expressed condolences over the stampede at a religious congregation in Uttar Pradesh in which 121 people were killed.

"President of Russia Vladimir Putin sent a condolence message to President of India Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi over the tragic stampede in Uttar Pradesh: Kindly accept the most sincere condolences over the tragic accident in Uttar Pradesh," the Russian Embassy in India posted on X.

?? Vladimir #Putin:

Please convey words of sympathy and support to the near and dear ones of the deceased as well as wishes for a speedy recovery of all injured. https://t.co/Vcqiy2UZo7

— Russia in India ?? (@RusEmbIndia) July 3, 2024

After meeting those injured and kin of deceased in Hathras stampede incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said a judicial inquiry headed by retired High Court judge will be initiated and promised to punish those who are responsible for the lapse.

As our reporter Dheeraj Mishra visits the Hathras stampede site, marriage invitation cards were seen left on the ground, indicating that people came with the cards to seek blessings from 'Bhole Baba'. A special toilet for 'Bhole Baba' was also spotted at the site.

Over 2 lakh devotees, a scramble to collect the dust from the preacher’s feet, the ensuing chaos, and a desperate bid to escape the surging crowd by rushing into the open fields nearby, only to fall and be stepped on by those behind. These are just a few of the many observations made by Sikandra Rao Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ravindra Kumar in his report on the stampede that killed 121 people in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras on Tuesday.

Kumar, who was present at the Satsang addressed by local preacher Narayan Sakar Hari or Bhole Baba in Phulrai village, has submitted his report to the district magistrate. The report will form the basis of the final findings that would be submitted to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has issued a 24-hour deadline to a high-level committee to file its report on the incident, sources said.

As per the report, as the preacher left the venue, devotees rushed towards his vehicle to catch a glimpse of him. Many also tried to collect the ‘Charan Raj’ or the dust left from his feet. As the crowd surged, people who were part of the baba’s personal security tried to push people back but failed, leading to “thaka-mukki (jostling)” and chaos, the report says. Read more

Expressing condolences, BJP leader Tarun Chugh told PTI, "It is extremely painful and saddening. The UP government is continuously making efforts to provide every possible facility and help to the victims. I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased. The country has to become more aware in order to prevent such incidents in the future."

While condolences pour in for those killed in Hathras stampede incident,  a plea was filed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday urging for the appointment of a five-member expert committee under the supervision of a retired apex court judge to investigate the Hathras stampede incident which claimed 121 lives.

The plea also sought a direction to the Uttar Pradesh government to submit a status report on the July 2 incident and to initiate legal action against officials and others for their negligent conduct.

The petition, filed by advocate Vishal Tiwar also urged for directions to all state governments to furnish status report of  medical facilities available from the block/Tehsil to the district level to deal with incidents of stampede.

With PTI inputs

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has left Hathras district hospital after meeting those injured and kin of deceased in stampede incident. Adityanath held a review meeting with officials at Hathras Police Lines, according to news agency PTI.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who reached Hathras, is meeting those injured in stampede incident at government hospital. Adityanath is seen inquiring the health status of the victim, in a video posted by PTI on X.

Samajwadhi Party leader and Lok Sabha MP Akhilesh Yadav slammed the BJP-led UP government over the alleged lapses in Hathras stampede incident. Speaking to news agency ANI, Yadav said, "The Government was aware and they not did make proper arrangements. BJP-led UP government is responsible for the major lapse. Vehicles were not arranged immediately after the incident. People could have been saved and those reached the hospital were not given oxygen and medicines timely."

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has arrived in Hathras to meet those injured in the stampede incident. Currently, Adityanath is taking stock of the situation at Hathras police lines.

#WATCH | Hathras Stampede accident | Hathras: UP CM Yogi Adityanath takes stock of the situation at the Hathras Police lines pic.twitter.com/DWtRcUzJb2

— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2024

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Udayveer Singh remarked that the 2 lakh ex-gratia announced by UP government for kin of those deceased in Hathras stampede incident as a joke. Singh attacked the authorities saying they should have made proper arrangements since 'Bhole Baba''s programs usually see such huge footfall.

"It is an extremely saddening and unfortunate incidence. It is also irresponsible behaviour of the authorities. Everyone knows that all the 'Bhole Baba' (Suraj Pal Singh) meetings attract such a huge crowd, hence, the authorities should have made proper arrangements. Now, they are trying to blame the organisers and 'Bhole Baba' but what can they do? Also, the ex-gratia announced by the government of Rs 2 lakh is a joke. Rs 2 lakh is nothing in today's time," Singh told PTI.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari has urged for a judicial probe into Hathras stampede incident and needs Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the incident in Parliament. "It is an extremely saddening and unfortunate incident. This could have been avoided if the arrangements were right. I extend my condolences to the deceased. I want to request the Home Minister to discuss this incident in both houses (of Parliament). I would also request a judicial investigation in the matter. To avoid such incidents in the future, suggestions should be taken into account," Tiwari told PTI in a video.

Condolences have been pour in for those killed in Hathras stampede incident. AAP leader Sanjay Singh while extending condolences, urged for a probe to find out the previous records of 'Bhole Baba. 

Speaking to PTI, Singh said, "I extend my condolences to the families of those killed in the stampede. I pray to God that their families are bestowed with the strength to bear this immense pain. An investigation should be held to find out the previous records of this 'baba'. The CM is visiting Hathras today... I would request him to compensate the families of the deceased."

In Phularai village, the kin of those killed in Hathras stampede incident mourn the loss. While 'Bhole Baba' has not been named in the FIR, family members of the deceased express their dissatisfaction over it. 

"People don't follow the 'sewadars', people came because of Baba. Bhole Baba should be considered as the main accused," Babu Rao, a local told PTI.

The death toll in the UP Hathras stampede incident rose to 121 on Wednesday. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is expected to visit Hathras on Wednesday, has constituted a team comprising ADG Agra and Aligarh Commissioner to inquire into the cause of the incident and submit the report within 24 hours.

The FIR states, "After the sermon of the main preacher Surajpal alias Bhole Baba, while leaving the venue at around 14.00, the devotees started collecting dust/soil from the path of his vehicle. On the other side of GT Road, the crowd kept getting crushed in the water and mud filled with water and mud about three meters deep in the field. The police present on the spot took the injured to the hospital, but there was no cooperation from the Sewadars. The evidence was fabricated by throwing away the belongings, clothes and shoes of the injured persons at the scene of the incident."

Scroll down to read what else the FIR says

As per the FIR, the organiser had sought permission for gathering of about 80,000 devotees in the program, without revealing that lakhs of devotees had gathered for previous programs held by the said organization. But a crowd of about 2.50 lakh people from different districts and nearby states gathered for Tuesday event. Traffic on GT Road was blocked due to non-compliance of permission conditions

After 116 people were killed and several others were injured in Hathras stampede incident on Tuesday, an FIR under Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita sections 105, 110, 126(2), 223 and 238 has been registered against main volunteer Devprakash Madhukar and other unidentified organisers and volunteers. While Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh on Tuesday said that action will be taken against the preacher Narayan Sakar Vishwa Hari aka Bhole Baba, the first FIR registered in the case does not name him.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, who reached the spot of the incident, said that the devotees who had gathered there went to touch the feet of the preacher, Bhole Baba, and tried to take the soil as a "pratha (custom)". However, a stampede took place during this, leading to the devotees falling in a nearby drain.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh said that the chief sewadar of the preacher Bhole Baba, who was conducting the satsang wherein the stampede occurred, had given an application of about 80,000 people gathering for the event. " But many more people reached there breaching the permission limit," he said. Singh also said that a huge police force had been deployed at the venue.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and Director General of Police Prashant Kumar visited the accident site on the directions of CM Yogi Adityanath, news agency PTI reported. 

VIDEO | Hathras stampede: UP Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and DGP Prashant Kumar visit the accident site.

116 people were killed in a satsang following a stampede in Hathras' Phulrai village. The satsang was being conducted by a preacher known as Bhole Baba.… pic.twitter.com/PN7ZPj8bLt

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 2, 2024

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary, after reaching Hathras district on the order of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, said that the administration's priority was to provide immediate treatment to the victims who had been injured, and to send the bodies of the deceased to the family members after post-mortem procedure. "The death toll stands at 116, including seven children and one man," he said, adding that the rest were women. He further informed that 72 bodies have been identified till now.

Aligarh Commissioner Chaitra V said that as per the information received, the deaths of 116 persons had been confirmed at the stampede during a 'satsang' in UP's Hathras ditrict, news agency PTI reported. She added that the preliminary investigation on the incident was underway.

VIDEO | Hathras Stampede: "As per the information that we have received so far, deaths of 116 people have been confirmed and 18 are injured. Preliminary investigation is also going now," says Aligarh Commissioner Chaitra V. pic.twitter.com/Op0BQ5MTjj

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 2, 2024

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said that the organisers of the religious event and the administration was responsible for the stampede in Hathras district which claimed the lives of more than 100 people.  "What happened in Hathras is unfortunate and saddening, and I offer my condolences. The organisers of the event and the administration is responsible for the incident," news agency PTI quoted him as saying.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, speaking on the stampede at a religious gathering in UP's Hathras that resulted in the deaths of more than 100 people, said that there was a need to assess the human errors that lead to such incidents and to draw lessons for the future. "A thorough investigation and action taken on its basis can prevent recurrence of such accidents in the future. Deepest condolences to the bereaved families," Yadav said in a post on X.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is expected to visit Hathras district tomorrow, news agency PTI quoted a senior government official as confirming. This comes hours after a stampede took place at a religious event in the Phulrai village of the district, claiming the lives of more than 100 people. 

The official also said that the Chief Minister was taking stock of the situation, with UP Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and DGP Prashant Kumar directed to reach the spot. Adityanath also constituted a team of Agra zone ADG and the Aligarh Divisional Commissioner to probe into the causes of the incident. The team will submit a report within 24 hours, as per a statement released by the UP government.

Congress spokesperson Anshu Awasthi said that the administration's negligence had resulted in the stampede at the religious event in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district, news agency PTI reported. " “It is the administration’s negligence which resulted in this incident, killing several people," Awasthi said. He questioned why appropriate arrangements had not been made, despite there being a gathering of 20,000 people at the venue.

Uttar Pradesh minister Laxmi Narayan Singh said that the people injured during the stampede were undergoing treatment in Aligarh, Agra, Etah and Hathras. ""Devotees were present in large numbers, when the stampede happened. Several women, children and elderlies died and were injured," news agency PTI quoted him as saying.

VIDEO | Hathras stampede: "Devotees were present in large numbers, when the stampede happened. Several women, children and elderlies died and were injured. The injured are undergoing treatment in Aligarh, Agra, Etah and Hathras," says UP minister Laxmi Narayan Singh. pic.twitter.com/AJrAcUs1Df

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 2, 2024

Speaking on the Hathras stampede incident, BJP MP Anoop Pradhan cautioned against politicising such incidents. " "I believe no one should do politics on such incidents. Tragedies can happen in any government, but it should not and is very unfortunate," he said. He said that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was likely to visit the spot tomorrow, adding that he would be going there immediately. 

Following the stampede incident after a religious event in Uttar Pradesh, the Hathras District Adminisration issued helpline numbers for the general public. "In view of the accident that took place in Hathras district, the district administration, keeping an eye on the situation of the incident, has issued helplines 05722227041 and 05722227042 for the help of the general public," Hathras DM Ashish Kumar posted on X. 

???? ????? ??? ??? ???????? ?? ???????? ???? ??????? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ????????? 05722227041 ??? 05722227042 ???? ???? ??? ???@myogiadityanath @UPGovt @InfoDeptUP

— DM Hathras (@dm_hathras) July 2, 2024

Following the stampede at Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, Agra zone ADG Anupama Kulshrestha reached the Community Health Centre in the district, news agency PTI reported.

VIDEO | Hathras stampede: ADG Agra Zone Anupama Kulshrestha reached CHC (Community Health Centre) Hathras earlier today. pic.twitter.com/QQxaLtXg0n

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 2, 2024

Visuals of the 'satsang' in UP's #Hathras before the stampede which claimed the lives of at least fifty people. pic.twitter.com/0sBz4f1ws2

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) July 2, 2024

Speaking on the Hathras stampede incident, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the government was responsible for the safety and security of the people gathering at such a large scale. "We were inside the House when we received the information about the incident. The question is so many people died... what was the government doing?" he questioned, as per news agency PTI. He further said that the government should help the families of the deceased, while adding that he was hopeful that the injured would be provided good medical treatment.

VIDEO | "We were inside the House when we received the information about the incident. The question is so many people died... what was the government doing? The government is responsible for the safety and security of people gathering in such large scale. The government should… pic.twitter.com/RSsGyU1zTI

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 2, 2024

Congress MP  Renuka Chowdhury referred to the stampede incident in Hathras as "very saddening." "The PM has won from that region and he should visit there soon," news agency PTI quoted her as saying.

While expressing condolences on the deaths of devotees during the stampede in Hathras district, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the senior officials of the Centre were in constant touch with their counterparts in the Uttar Pradesh government. "I have just received a sad news. Reports are coming in of several people losing their lives in the stampede in UP's Hathras. I express my condolences to those who have lost their lives; I pray for speedy recovery of those injured in the incident," news agency PTI quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

VIDEO | "I have just received a sad news: reports are coming in of several people losing their lives in the stampede in UP's Hathras. I express my condolences to those who have lost their lives; I pray for speedy recovery of those injured in the incident. The state administration… pic.twitter.com/fvzuH1i8P2

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 2, 2024

BJP MP Anurag Thakur expressed his condolences towards the victims of the stampede in UP's Hathras and their families. "The news of loss of life in the unfortunate accident in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh is extremely sad and heart-rending. The local administration is fully engaged in relief and rescue operations," the Hamirpur MP said. 

VIDEO | Hathras stampede: Visuals from outside the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Hathras.

Over 50 people died and several others were injured in a stampede at a religious congregation here on Tuesday, officials said. They said the incident occurred at a 'satsang' event in… pic.twitter.com/QkitDqod2T

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 2, 2024

Expressing grief over the stampede which occurred after a religious event in the Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh, President Droupadi Murmu said that the news of the death of many devotees, including women and children, was heart-rending. "I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," Murmu said in a post on X.

While the authorities said that at least 50 persons had been killed after the stampede at a religious event in UP, sources told the Indian Express that at least 100 bodies had been counted so far in the Hathras, and 27 in bordering Etah.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his condolences on the Hathras stampede, while assuring that the local administration was engaged in relief work. "I am deeply saddened by the tragic accident in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident. May God give them strength to bear this pain," Shah wrote in a post on X. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav expressed his condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased. "I am saddened to hear the news of the death of hundreds of devotees in the unfortunate stampede incident in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh during the satsang," Yadav said in a post on X. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati condoled the deaths of devotees during the stampede in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district, while urging the government to take appropriate action on the incident. "The government should investigate these incidents and take appropriate action and provide financial assistance to the victim families," Mayawati said.

While calling the news of the stampede in Hathras as "extremely painful", Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge reuqested the workers of opposition parties to provide all possible help to people affected by the incident. "We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families. We urge the government and administration to leave no stone unturned in treating the injured and provide immediate compensation to the victims," Kharge said in a post on X.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his grief over the stampede incident which killed several devotees in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district. He further urged the state government and the administration to provide treatment to those injured to facilitate their recovery. He called on the INDIA bloc leaders to render all possible help in the relief and recovery of the victims.

During his address in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the loss of lives at the stampede which took place at a religious event in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh. The Prime Minister said that the injured would be provided all possible help.

Hathras District Magistrate Ashish Kumar said that a high-level committee had been constituted to investigate whether the arranegements for the event had been done properly or not

Speaking on the Hathras stampede incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that an FIR would be lodged against the organisers of the programme, following which the stampede occurred. He added that the state government was preparing to take major action on the incident.

Hathras District Magistrate Ashish Kumar said that the permission for the religios event which witnessed a stampede after it ended had been granted by the SDM. He also said that police had been deployed outside for maintaining law and order. 

Etah ADM Satya Prakash confirmed that 27 bodies had been brought to the hospital, adding that the post-mortem procedure was underway, news agency PTI reported. He said that the matter was being investigated.

Following the stampede in Hathras district, one of the eyewitnesses claimed that when the satsang ended, people started to come out. "Outside, the road was built on a height with a drain below," news agency PTI quoted Shakuntala as saying. She added that the people started falling into the drain one after the other, leading to the deaths.

According to eyewitness accounts, a road which was closed since 10 pm on Monday was opened Tuesday afternoon, leading to the stampede situation. The eyewitnesses also claimed that over 100 people could have lost their lives in the incident.

Following the stampede at a religious event in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath constituted a team, including he Agra additional director general of police and the divisional commissioner of Aligarh, to launch a probe and enquire into the cause of the incident.

At least fifty people were killed in a stampede Tuesday afternoon during a religious event in Ratibhanpur village in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district. The satsang was being addressed by a religious preacher and his wife, who have been holding such events for the last 26 years.

“It was a meeting of Bhole Baba,a religious preacher. Temporary permit was granted for the gathering at the spot, which is situated at the border of Etah and Hathras districts,” said Shalabh Mathur, Inspector General (IG) of Police, Aligarh range.