Etah, Uttar Pradesh – A tragic incident occurred in the village of Mughal Garhi, Hathras district, where over a hundred people lost their lives during a prayer meeting. The event, known as a satsang, turned into a disaster when overcrowding led to a deadly crush, resulting in the deaths of 108 women and seven children. The crush occurred as people were leaving the gathering, following a local tradition of paying respects to the religious figure or collecting soil.
According to Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, the organizers had filed an application estimating 80,000 attendees, but a much larger crowd showed up. The negligence of the organizers in complying with safety measures and overcrowding exacerbated the situation, leading to people falling into an open sewer. Survivor accounts described a chaotic scene of people falling on top of each other, resulting in tragic fatalities.
Following the crush, efforts are underway to provide medical care to the injured and arrange post-mortem examinations for the deceased. A high-level inquiry has been initiated to investigate the incident, with authorities planning to take legal action against the event organizers for violating attendance limits. The gravity of the situation prompted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend his condolences and assure comprehensive support for the victims and their families.
The tragic incident in Hathras is a sobering reminder of the importance of following safety protocols and ensuring adequate crowd management at public events. As investigations continue and authorities assess the lapses that led to the disaster, the community mourns the loss of lives and seeks justice for the victims. In the aftermath of this heartbreaking event, the focus remains on providing support to the affected families and preventing similar tragedies in the future.