Tragic Stampede in Hathras: 116 Devotees Perish

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath is set to visit Hathras, following a stampede at a religious event that killed 116 people. An investigation team has been formed, and the state government pledges to identify and punish those responsible for the tragedy while urging an end to political exploitation of the incident.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is likely to visit Hathras on Wednesday where a stampede at a religious congregation killed 116 people, according to a senior government official.

The chief minister is continuously monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, UP Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and DGP Prashant Kumar have already reached the scene.

An investigation team comprising ADG Agra and Aligarh Divisional Commissioner has 24 hours to submit a report on the cause of the stampede, the government announced in a statement.

Adityanath is currently conducting a meeting with senior officials at his residence. Three ministers -- Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, Asim Arun, and Sandeep Singh -- have been dispatched to the site.

Addressing reporters, Adityanath promised, 'Our government will thoroughly investigate this incident and ensure appropriate punishment for those responsible. We will determine whether it was an accident or a conspiracy.' He criticized political parties for exploiting the tragedy, urging them to focus on supporting the victims instead.

According to official statements, the tragedy occurred during a Bhole Baba event in Sikandrarao, Hathras, between 3 pm and 3:30 pm as a preacher descended from the stage. A sudden rush of devotees led to the stampede when sevadars tried to stop them. Helpline numbers (05722227041 and 05722227042) have been issued for assistance.

The incident resulted in 116 people suffocating to death as the crowd surged. The gathering far exceeded the number permitted by the administration, emphasizing the need for stricter event management guidelines.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)