At least 116 people, including 106 women and seven children, were killed after a stampede broke out at a religious event in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras on Tuesday, officials said. The stampede occurred during a 'satsang' (prayer meeting) which was attended by thousands.
In a post on X, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said instructions have been given to officials to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing and to provide proper treatment to the injured. He said two state ministers have left for the village and the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police have also been sent there. He said a committee has been set up to investigate the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu also expressed condolences to the families of those who were killed and said they were praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. PM Modi said the Centre is extending all possible help to the Uttar Pradesh government.
Inspector General (Aligarh Range) Shalabh Mathur, said, "So far, 116 deaths have been confirmed. Twenty seven bodies are in the Etah mortuary and the rest are in Hathras. They have been sent for post-mortem to different places. We are working hard to ensure that the injured get the best possible treatment at the earliest. A case is being registered and the names of the people who took permission for the event will be added.
A compensation of Rs 200,000 each has been announced for the families of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Officials said a case will be registered against the organisers.
