A stampede in India's Hathras killed 121 persons, mostly women

According to authorities, the death toll from a tragic stampede at a Hindu religious congregation in northern India has now reached 121. A police report has revealed that the number of attendees at the event was more than three times the permitted capacity.

A stampede occurred on Tuesday in Phulrai Mughal Garhi village, located in the Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh state. The village is approximately 200km (125 miles) southeast of New Delhi. Despite granting permission to only 80,000 people, an estimated 250,000 individuals were gathered, as reported in the police first information report (FIR).

According to state authorities, a tragic incident claimed the lives of at least 121 individuals, leaving 31 others injured. Among the deceased were 112 women and seven children.

According to doctors at the Hathras district hospital, a significant number of deaths were attributed to suffocation.

"The number of injured individuals has decreased due to the nature of stampede injuries. Fractures, scratches, and general body pain are the most common types of injuries sustained in such situations, prompting many people to recover and leave quickly," explained Neeta Jain, the doctor overseeing the hospital's emergency ward.

According to the FIR, there was complete pandemonium as the preacher, Surajpal, commonly called 'Bhole Baba,' was making his way out in his vehicle.

According to the document, a chaotic scene unfolded as thousands of devotees rushed towards the car, resulting in some unfortunate individuals being trampled in the process. Several individuals were also caught in a nearby area of slush and mud, ultimately being trampled in the process.

In a letter obtained by TGE, a junior official who witnessed the event recounted the chaotic scene that unfolded. According to the official, the commotion erupted when followers rushed towards the preacher's vehicle, only to be halted by his staff. The situation quickly turned physical, resulting in numerous individuals being knocked to the ground.

According to the letter, several devotees sought refuge in the nearby open fields to avoid the stampede. However, their efforts were in vain as they unfortunately slipped and fell in the path of the oncoming crowd.

Efforts to obtain a comment from police officials in Hathras were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

A tragic loss occurred when Ruby (30) made a journey of over 300km (185 miles) to join her father, Chedilal, at the congregation, only to meet her untimely demise.

Witnesses described hearing chilling screams from women and witnessing a grim scene of bodies piled up near the exit during the stampede. Chedilal recounted his fearful experience, hastily fleeing the scene and desperately dialing his daughter's number, as he shared with TGE.

Chedilal, in a desperate search throughout the night, eventually discovered his daughter's lifeless body at the Hathras district hospital at dawn.

The event venue, situated amidst paddy fields adjacent to a bustling highway, was littered with debris and partially flooded following Wednesday morning's rainfall. Only a few bamboo poles and a banner featuring the preacher's image were left as the sole remnants of the tragic event.