The death toll due to the stampede during a religious gathering in Hathras district in the north Indian state Uttar Pradesh has touched 116. The deceased include women and children.
Visuals from the Community Health Centre showed several bodies being brought there in buses and tempos in the presence of crying family members. Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavna Samagam Committee hosted the religious event.
A case has been reportedly filed against the organisers of the event. The organisers have been charged under sections 105, 110, 126 (2), 223, and 238 of the country’s new criminal code Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and other top lawmakers of the country expressed grief over the tragedy.
Top police officials reached the spot on Wednesday to investigate the incident. Envoys of several nations, including Israel and France, mourned the loss of lives in the stampede.
German envoy Philipp Ackermann posted on X: “Deeply saddened about the tragic events in Hathras.My condolences to the families that lost their loved ones.We hope that help quickly reaches the injured.”
Chinese envoy Xu Feihong expressed his shock at the loss of lives in the tragedy.
“Shocked and saddened about the tragic events in Hathras, UP. Deeply mourn for the lives lost and extend heartfelt sympathies to victims’ families. Wish the injured a speedy recovery,” he posted on X.
French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou said: “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives following the tragic stampede in Uttar Pradesh’s #Hathras district.”
“France expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the victims and wishes the injured a speedy recovery,” he said.
Israeli envoy Naor Gilon said the stampede tragedy in the north Indian state left him deeply saddened. “Deeply saddened about the loss of lives at the tragic stampede in #Hathras, UP,” he wrote on X.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Such incidents are truly heartbreaking,” the envoy said.
Self-styled godman’s name emerge
According to reports, the religious event was hosted by a self-styled godman Narayan Saakar Hari aka Bhole Baba.
The self-styled religious leader was reportedly a former UP police staffer.
He took voluntary retirement in 1990 to pursue his spiritual journey.