In Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh, India, a stampede during a Hindu religious event claimed the lives of at least 121 people on Tuesday, July 2, mostly women and children, according to local authorities. The event, which drew about 250,000 attendees, significantly exceeded the permitted limit of 80,000, leading to the deadly overcrowding.

The gathering, organized by a Hindu preacher known as Suraj Pal Singh or “Bhole Baba,” ended in chaos as attendees rushed towards the preacher’s vehicle. Witnesses described a scene of panic as thousands of devotees surged forward, crushing others who were still seated. 

Initial police reports indicated that the preacher’s aides and volunteers tried to control the crowd but to no avail. The chaos reportedly began when Baba’s staff intervened to stop people from approaching his car. Some devotees, eager to collect dust from the preacher’s path, contributed to the confusion, according to the police.

A physician at the district hospital treating the injured, confirmed that most deaths were due to suffocation. The victims were brought in with severe breathing difficulties. The overcrowding and lack of air caused many to collapse and suffocate, according to the doctor. Out of the 121 confirmed dead, 112 were women and seven were children. Additionally, 31 people sustained injuries during the stampede.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the site and the injured at the hospital, announcing a judicial inquiry to investigate the incident. The judicial panel will be led by a retired judge of the Allahabad High Court, supported by a retired IAS officer and a former IPS officer. “A protocol must be created to manage such future events and prevent such incidents from recurring,” Adityanath stated to reporters.

The preacher’s lawyer, A.P. Singh, issued a statement denying any wrongdoing by Bhole Baba. Singh emphasized that the preacher had not encouraged devotees to touch his feet or gather dust from his path. “Baba’s aides are prepared to assist those affected by this tragic incident,” Singh added.

Amid the ongoing investigation, police are attempting to locate Bhole Baba, who has not been seen since the event. Authorities raided his abode at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district but did not find him. A poster at the event site revealed that a group of devotees had organized the gathering.

Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of the event’s aftermath. A junior official present at the scene reported to the district administrator that the preacher’s staff had stopped the devotees from approaching the car, leading many to fall and be trampled. Some attendees ran towards nearby open fields, only to slip and fall in the mud, further exacerbating the chaos.

One of the victims, Ruby, had traveled a long distance with her father, Chedilal, to attend the event. “I was scared and ran away, calling my daughter on the phone,” Chedilal recounted. After a night of searching hospitals, he finally located Ruby’s body at the Hathras district hospital the next morning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, emphasizing the need for better crowd management at large gatherings. Stampedes at religious events in India are not uncommon, often attributed to poor crowd control and safety measures. Previous incidents, such as the 2013 Madhya Pradesh festival stampede, have similarly resulted in significant casualties.

Local authorities, including the police, have faced criticism for their handling of the event. Residents and eyewitnesses blamed the organizers for inadequate preparation and crowd management. Ambulances faced delays due to the heavy congestion on the national highway, which was blocked for up to three miles by the attendees.

The judicial inquiry is expected to submit its findings within two months. The Uttar Pradesh government has promised compensation for the victims’ families and strict action against those found responsible. Meanwhile, the search for Bhole Baba continues as the investigation seeks to determine the full extent of accountability.

On Thursday, July 4, Indian police said they had arrested six people. Authorities stated that the four men and two women apprehended were assistants to Baba, involved in setting up the event, but they fled when the chaos erupted. When questioned about Baba’s involvement, a high-ranking police officer revealed that the preacher was not mentioned in the case they had documented.

“If there is a need, we will question (him) … It is too early to say whether he had a role,” Uttar Pradesh police Inspector-General Shalabh Mathur said.