Hathras Horror: Outside Hospital, Scattered Bodies, Wailing Relatives After Stampede

Hathras (UP): In the aftermath the disastrous incident of stampede at Uttar Pradesh's Hathras, dead bodies of deceased are lying on blocks of ice inside the government hospital, as the wailing relatives of the victims are waiting outside in drizzle to take mortal remains back home.

As of now, the stampede has claimed 116 lives including 108 women and seven children and several others are still missing. The incident took place at Bhole Baba aka Narayan Saakar Hari's Satsang, which was being attended by thousands of Baba's devotees in the Phulrai village in Sikandra Rao area. The incident took place at Baba's religious meeting around 3:30 PM Tuesday afternoon while he was leaving the venue.

Anguish gripped the exterior of the Sikandra Rao Community Health Centre where many are clung to the desperate hope of finding missing loved ones late night.

Rajesh, from Kasganj district, desperately showing a picture of his mother. “I saw her on a news channel, She came here with others from our village.” told Rajesh. Shivam stood nearby, was also showing a phone displaying a picture of his missing paternal aunt (bua).

Anshu and Pabal Kumar waited near the CHC in their small pick-up truck, loaded with empty milk containers, hoping to find Gopal Singh, 40, the missing father of their cousin."He went for the programme but hasn't returned home yet. He is not street smart, doesn't even carry a phone," told Anshu.

Vinod Kumar Suryavanshi from Barse village lost his 72-year-old aunt in the stampede. His mother luckily survived. He waited for his aunt's son to arrive for post-mortem formalities.

"There are almost 100-200 casualties and there was only one doctor at the hospital. There was no facility for oxygen. Some are still breathing but there are no proper treatment facilities," an agitated youth said outside the hospital.

ADG Agra and Commissioner Agra are directed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to lead the probe of the incident and submit the report in 24 hours.

While briefing the Media, District Magistrate Ashish Kumar said permission was granted for the event by the sub-divisional magistrate, while the local administration provided security outside the venue while the internal arrangement was to be looked after by the Organisers, he added.