UP-Hathras Stampede: How crowding, humidity led to 121 deaths in Hathras horror. What we know so far

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Uttar Pradesh, a tragic stampede during a religious congregation led by 'Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba' has claimed the lives of at least 121 people, leaving over 300 others injured. The victims, predominantly women and children, were part of a massive crowd that had gathered near Phulrai village in the Sikandrarau area. The stampede left over 300 people injured, overwhelming local medical facilities.

The stampede occurred around 3:30 PM as thousands of attendees rushed to touch the feet of Bhole Baba, whose real name is Surajpal, a former police officer turned religious preacher. According to eyewitnesses, parts of the ground had become boggy due to water overflowing from a nearby drain, causing people to slip and fall over one another. Overcrowding was cited as a primary factor, with attendance far exceeding the 80,000 figure mentioned in the event organizers' application. Reports indicated that nearly 2.5 lakh people attended the 'satsang'.

Prakash Kumar, an injured attendee from Aligarh, recounted, “There was a large crowd at the site. There was no way out, and people fell on each other and fainted. When I tried to move out, there were motorcycles parked outside, which blocked my way.”

UP-Hathras Stampede: What happened?

The logistical challenges became apparent as the narrow exit routes and limited parking within a 3-km radius struggled to accommodate the massive crowd. According to Shyam Singh from Agra, the stampede initiated when Bhole Baba's convoy passed, causing an unexpected halt that intensified the already