Hathras stampede: Death toll rises to 120

HATHRAS: 120 people, including three children, died in a stampede during a prayer meeting (satsang) in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. Most of the deceased are women. Many people sustained injuries. Thousands of people had participated in the program held yesterday in Mughal Garhi village.

The 'satsang' was organised by the Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavna Samagam Committee. According to sources, the stampede occurred as the event concluded when some people tried to move out of the pandal amid the humid conditions while others tried to push them back, leading to confusion and chaos. Many people fainted due to the intense heat. Police have launched an investigation into the incident. Bodies were brought to the nearby primary health centre in tempos and buses.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and others expressed their condolences. Rahul requested the workers of the INDIA Alliance to engage in rescue and relief work.