New Delhi: A tragic incident in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, claimed the lives of at least 121 people in a stampede during a religious gathering on Tuesday. The stampede occurred as attendees were leaving a “satsang” led by spiritual leader “Bhole Baba” in Phulrai village.
An FIR has been filed against the event organizers for exceeding the authorized attendee limit. While permission was granted for 80,000 attendees, it was reported that more than 250,000 people were present at the gathering. The organizers now face charges under Sections 105, 110, 126 (2), 223, and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
List of deadly stampedes in India:
The Kumbh Mela, one of the most significant and largest Hindu festivals, is held every three years and attracts millions of devotees. In 2003, a tragic stampede occurred in Nashik, Mumbai, when thousands of pilgrims converged at the Godavari River to participate in the holy dip.
On August 27, as the festival reached its peak, the overwhelming number of devotees created a chaotic scene. Eyewitnesses reported that the stampede was triggered by the pilgrims forcing their way through the narrow streets and breaking through barricades in their desperate attempt to reach the river. The ensuing panic and crush resulted in the deaths of at least 39 people, including many women, and left more than 100 injured.
On January 25, 2005, a devastating stampede occurred at the Mandhardevi temple in Wai town, Maharashtra. The tragedy resulted in the death of over 265 devotees and left several hundred others injured. The incident was triggered by slippery steps leading to the temple, causing mass panic and chaos as people struggled to maintain their footing.
On August 3, 2008, a tragic stampede took place at the Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh. The incident, which claimed the lives of around 145 Hindu pilgrims, was caused by rumors of a landslide. The temple, located atop a mountain, became the site of mass panic as the devotees attempted to flee, resulting in a deadly crush.
On September 30, 2008, another heartbreaking stampede occurred at the Chamundagar temple in Rajasthan’s northern desert region. The stampede, which happened during the Navratri festival, resulted in the deaths of 250 pilgrims. The large crowd had gathered to celebrate the nine-day festival honoring the Goddess Durga, but a sudden surge led to chaos and tragic fatalities.
On March 4, 2010, a stampede at the Ram Janki temple in Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh, claimed the lives of at least 63 people, including many children. The stampede was triggered by a large crowd rushing for free food and clothing, leading to a chaotic and deadly crush as people scrambled to get the offerings.
On February 10, 2013, a stampede during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, resulted in the deaths of 36 Hindu devotees. The event, which saw over 100 million pilgrims over two months, underscored the immense scale and risks of such large gatherings. The stampede occurred during one of the most crowded periods of the festival, highlighting the challenges of managing such a vast influx of people.
On October 13, 2013, a stampede at the Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh resulted in the deaths of around 115 individuals and left over a hundred injured. The incident took place as more than 150,000 devotees gathered to celebrate Navratri. The sudden surge of the crowd led to a panic that caused a deadly stampede.
On July 14, 2015, a tragic stampede occurred at a major bathing site along the Godavari River in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, during the Godavari Maha Pushkaram festival. The stampede, which resulted in 27 fatalities, was part of the significant 12-day Hindu festival that is observed once every 144 years and draws massive crowds of devotees.
On September 29, 2017, a stampede broke out at Mumbai’s Elphinstone Road suburban railway station during the morning rush hour. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of at least 23 individuals and injured at least 39 others. The stampede was triggered by a sudden movement of passengers resuming their commute after a rain shower, leading to a deadly crush on the narrow foot overbridge.
On January 1, 2022, a stampede at the Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir resulted in at least 12 fatalities and left numerous others injured. The incident occurred as a large crowd of devotees attempted to enter the shrine through its narrow passageway, causing a deadly crush as people surged forward.
