Near about 116 people including men, women and children have been died in a major stampede during a religious event in Uttar Pradesh’s district Hathras on Tuesday. The incident took place when a religious preacher was addressing his followers at a specially laid tent in the in the Sikandra Rau area of Hathras district village Rati Bhanpur.
The police, prima facie, says that it happened due to the suffocation at the venue led to discomfort among the people attending the ‘Satsang’. Due to this problem, the people started running, causing a stampede.Hence this panic situation create very hot and humid during the event, the police said.
“It was a satsang meeting of Bhole Baba, a religious priest. On the border of Etah and Hathras district on Tuesday afternoon a temporary permission was granted for gathering,” Inspector General (Aligarh Range) Shalabh Mathur said.
A few of the deceased person have been identified as – Ganga Devi (70) from Hathras, Priyanka (20) from Kasganj, Jasoda (70) from Mathura, and Saroj Lata (60) from Etah. Two deceased children have also been identified – Kavya (4) and Ayush (8), both hailing from Shahjahnpur.
The stampede took place when the religious event ended, and everyone was rushing to leave the place, according to one of the survivors.
“There was no way out due to, there was a huge crowd gathered of followers at the spot, and everybody fell on each other, so dangerous a stampede took place. When I tried to move out, there were motorcycles parked outside the “Satsang” event place, which blocked the way. Many fainted while others died,” according to a victim, who was admitted to a nearby hospital.
The exact cause of the incident is being investigated.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident and ordered the officials in and around Hathras district to speed up rescue and relief operations. “He has given the instructions to investigate the causes of the incident under the leadership of ADG Agra and Commissioner Aligarh.
Top Measures That can Pevent Such Stampedes
To prevent stampedes during large gatherings or events, organizers can implement several safety measures:
- Crowd Management:
- Entry and Exit Points: Clearly mark entry and exit points to guide attendees. Ensure that these points are wide enough to accommodate the crowd flow.
- Queue Management: Organize queues with barriers or ropes to prevent overcrowding at entry gates.
- Security Personnel: Deploy trained security personnel to manage crowd movement and maintain order.
- Infrastructure and Venue Design:
- Adequate Space: Choose venues with sufficient space to accommodate the expected crowd. Avoid overcrowding.
- Emergency Exits: Ensure multiple emergency exits are accessible and clearly marked.
- Barrier-Free Exits: Remove obstacles (such as parked vehicles) that could block exit routes.
- Well-Designed Seating: Arrange seating in a way that allows easy movement and minimizes congestion.
- Communication:
- Announcements: Use public address systems to make announcements about safety protocols, exit routes, and crowd behavior.
- Visual Signage: Display signs with safety instructions and emergency contact numbers.
- Medical Preparedness:
- Medical Stations: Set up medical stations with trained personnel to handle emergencies.
- First Aid Kits: Distribute first aid kits and educate attendees on their location.
- Ambulance Services: Have ambulances on standby for quick response.
- Temperature and Comfort:
- Ventilation: Ensure proper ventilation to prevent suffocation.
- Cooling Measures: Provide fans, misters, or shaded areas during hot weather.
- Hydration: Encourage attendees to stay hydrated.
- Education and Awareness:
- Pre-Event Briefing: Educate attendees about safety measures during the event.
- Behavioral Guidelines: Encourage calm behavior, discourage pushing, and emphasize cooperation.
- Technology:
- Crowd Monitoring Systems: Use technology to monitor crowd density and movement.
- Mobile Apps: Develop apps to provide real-time information and emergency alerts.
It is the responsibility of organizers to anticipate problems and prioritize safety.
Read More News: Click Here
