Sindhu at 02:28, 26 December 2025

2025-12-26T02:28:51Z

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{{Short description|Crowd crush in Uttar Pradesh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2024}}
{{infobox event
| title = 2024 Uttar Pradesh crowd crush
| date = {{start date and age|2024|7|2|df=y}}
| place = [[Hathras district]], Uttar Pradesh, India
| coordinates = {{coord|region:IN-UP_type:event|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| cause = [[Overcrowding]]
| reported deaths = 121
| reported injuries = At least 150
| map = {{Location map|India Uttar Pradesh#India}}
}}

On 2 July 2024, a [[crowd crush]] occurred at the conclusion of a [[satsang]] organised by a self-styled [[Godman (India)|godman]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Anuj |date=2024-07-06 |title=Narayan Sakar Hari (Bhole Baba) {{!}} Policeman-turned-preacher |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/narayan-sakar-hari-bhole-baba-policeman-turned-preacher/article68375737.ece |access-date=2024-07-10 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=7 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707221234/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/narayan-sakar-hari-bhole-baba-policeman-turned-preacher/article68375737.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> in the village of Mughal Garhi in [[Hathras district]] of the [[States and union territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]]. The incident resulted in the deaths of 121 people, most of whom were women and children, and the hospitalisation of at least 150 others. The incident occurred when about 250,000 people showed up for the event, which had permission for at most 80,000.

==Incident==
On 2 July 2024, a [[satsang]] (a religious event) was organised in the village of Mughal Garhi in [[Hathras district]] of the [[States and union territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]] by the Sri Jagat Guru Baba organisation, founded by a local preacher, Suraj Pal, also known as Narayan Sakar Hari or Bhole Baba.<ref>{{cite news|title=How did a religious gathering in India turn into a deadly stampede?|url=https://apnews.com/article/india-hathras-stampede-cd902854cbc673cbfbd3408963c34792|access-date=3 July 2024|date=3 July 2024|work=Associated Press|first1=Biswajeet|last1=Banerjee|first2=Krutika|last2=Pathi|archive-date=6 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706012736/https://apnews.com/article/india-hathras-stampede-cd902854cbc673cbfbd3408963c34792|url-status=live}}</ref> A makeshift tent had been erected in a muddy field for the event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shamim |first=Sarah |title=What caused the deadly stampede in Hathras, India? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/3/what-caused-the-deadly-crowd-crush-in-hathras-india |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=6 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706012737/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/3/what-caused-the-deadly-crowd-crush-in-hathras-india |url-status=live }}</ref> The crowd crush occurred at the conclusion of the event, when people attempted to leave the premises.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dozens killed in stampede at India religious event|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv2g7wgj83no|access-date=2 July 2024|work=[[BBC News]]|date=2 July 2024|first=Sharanya|last=Hrishikesh|archive-date=2 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702125111/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv2g7wgj83no|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=107 people killed in stampede at religious event in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/major-stampede-at-religious-event-in-uttar-pradeshs-hathras-over-20-feared-dead-101719917770127.html|date=2 July 2024|access-date=2 July 2024|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|archive-date=2 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702143532/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/major-stampede-at-religious-event-in-uttar-pradeshs-hathras-over-20-feared-dead-101719917770127.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Victims==
The incident resulted in the deaths of 123 people, most of whom were women and children, and the hospitalisation of at least 150 others.<ref name="Two Days">{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/narayan-sakar-hari-hathras-stampede-bhole-baba-satsang-two-days-after-killer-stampede-left-123-dead-no-arrests-and-few-answers-6030303|title=Two Days After Killer Stampede Left 123 Dead, No Arrests and Few Answers|work=[[NDTV]]|date=4 July 2024|access-date=5 July 2024|archive-date=6 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706012737/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/narayan-sakar-hari-hathras-stampede-bhole-baba-satsang-two-days-after-killer-stampede-left-123-dead-no-arrests-and-few-answers-6030303|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Who is Bhole Baba, during whose 'satsang' 120 people died in a stampede?|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/who-is/who-is-bhole-baba-during-whose-satsang-120-people-died-in-a-stampede-1503316125.html|newspaper=[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]]|date=2 July 2024|access-date=2 July 2024|archive-date=2 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702195158/https://www.thestatesman.com/who-is/who-is-bhole-baba-during-whose-satsang-120-people-died-in-a-stampede-1503316125.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=2 July 2024|title=More than 100 killed during stampede at religious gathering in India's Uttar Pradesh with death toll expected to rise|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-02/many-killed-in-stampede-at-religous-gathering-in-north-india/104050938|access-date=5 July 2024|work=ABC News|first=Meghna|last=Bali|archive-date=2 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702143540/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-02/many-killed-in-stampede-at-religous-gathering-in-north-india/104050938|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Aftermath==
The [[National Disaster Response Force]] (NDRF) was tasked with the rescue operations. A responding police officer also died of a [[heart attack]].<ref>{{cite news|title=UP Hathras Stampede: Policeman dies of heart attack after seeing piles of bodies|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/uttar-pradesh/hathras-stampede-updates-up-police-policeman-dies-piles-of-bodies-uttar-pradesh-fulrai-village-rajneesh-etah-district-hospital-2024-07-02-939928|access-date=2 July 2024|work=[[India TV]]|date=2 July 2024|archive-date=2 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702195209/https://www.indiatvnews.com/uttar-pradesh/hathras-stampede-updates-up-police-policeman-dies-piles-of-bodies-uttar-pradesh-fulrai-village-rajneesh-etah-district-hospital-2024-07-02-939928|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Chief minister of Uttar Pradesh|Chief Minister]] of Uttar Pradesh [[Yogi Adityanath]] announced an [[ex-gratia]] compensation of {{INRconvert|200000}} for the families of each of the dead and {{INRconvert|50000}} for the injured.<ref>{{cite news|title=107 dead in stampede at religious preacher's congregation in UP's Hathras|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/107-dead-in-stampede-at-religious-preacher-s-congregation-in-up-s-hathras-101719925681785.html|date=2 July 2024|access-date=2 July 2024|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|first=Hemendra|last=Chaturvedi|archive-date=2 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702132055/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/107-dead-in-stampede-at-religious-preacher-s-congregation-in-up-s-hathras-101719925681785.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He also instructed officials to investigate the cause of the incident.<ref>{{cite news|title=UP Hathras Stampede Live Updates: At least 50 persons killed during 'satsang', CM Adityanath announces Rs 2 lakh ex gratia for families of deceased|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/up-hathras-stampede-live-updates-satsang-deaths-cm-yogi-adityanath-9428365/|date=2 July 2024|access-date=2 July 2024|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|archive-date=2 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702143532/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/up-hathras-stampede-live-updates-satsang-deaths-cm-yogi-adityanath-9428365/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Causes==
According to the [[first information report]] (FIR) lodged by the [[Uttar Pradesh Police]], around 250,000 people showed up for the event, which had permission for at most 80,000.<ref name="CNN">{{cite news|last=Iyer|first=Aishwarya S.|date=2 July 2024|title=At least 87 people killed in stampede at religious event in India, say local police|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/02/asia/india-uttar-pradesh-stampede-intl/index.html|access-date=2 July 2024|work=[[CNN]]|archive-date=2 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702195159/https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/02/asia/india-uttar-pradesh-crush-intl|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Ellis-Petersen|first1=Hannah|last2=Hassan|first2=Aakash|date=3 July 2024|title=India deadly crush blamed on huge overcrowding as death toll passes 120|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/03/india-deadly-crush-blamed-on-huge-overcrowding-as-death-toll-passes-120|access-date=4 July 2024|work=[[The Guardian]]|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=6 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706012737/https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/03/india-deadly-crush-blamed-on-huge-overcrowding-as-death-toll-passes-120|url-status=live }}</ref> The organisers had not ensured multiple exit routes, resulting in one entry and exit respectively for a crowd of 2.5 lakh. Officials claimed that the deaths occurred when a dust storm caused people to panic and the overcrowding combined with the heat resulted in increased casualties.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news|last=Yasir|first=Sameer|date=2 July 2024|title=Stampede at Religious Gathering in Northern India Kills at Least 50|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/02/world/asia/india-stampede-religious-event.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=2 July 2024|archive-date=2 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702195213/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/02/world/asia/india-stampede-religious-event.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Media agencies reported that the exit from the venue was narrow and the crush started when people pushed each other to get a glimpse of Pal and others tried to collect the soil or dirt around his feet.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://ndtv.in/india/hathras-stampede-eye-witnesses-told-the-painful-story-of-accident-6018942|title=Eye witnesses told painful story of the accident|date=2 July 2024|work=[[NDTV]]|access-date=2 July 2024|archive-date=2 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702195201/https://ndtv.in/india/hathras-stampede-eye-witnesses-told-the-painful-story-of-accident-6018942|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=What happened in Hathras? All you need to know about Bhole Baba, stampede|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/what-happened-in-hathras-all-you-need-to-know-about-bhole-baba-stampede-101720063717302.html|date=4 July 2024|access-date=4 July 2024|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|archive-date=6 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706012738/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/what-happened-in-hathras-all-you-need-to-know-about-bhole-baba-stampede-101720063717302.html|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Devotees wanted to collect soil from around Bhole Baba's feet': The unfolding of UP's Hathras tragedy|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/how-deadly-stampede-broke-out-in-ups-hathras-eyewitnesses-recount-horror-12760709.html|access-date=2 July 2024|work=Money Control|date=2 July 2024}}</ref> Media reports also reported that attendees were held back for Pal and his group to exit first.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/hathras-reason-behind-stampede-in-hathras-came-to-light-convoy-of-storyteller-bhole-baba-was-going-out-and-then-23751031.html|title=Convoy of storyteller Bhole Baba was going out|date=2 July 2024|work=Jagran|access-date=2 July 2024|archive-date=2 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702195217/https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/hathras-reason-behind-stampede-in-hathras-came-to-light-convoy-of-storyteller-bhole-baba-was-going-out-and-then-23751031.html|url-status=live|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Accident happened due to stampede to touch the feet of Baba|url=https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/hathras/hathras-accident-happened-due-to-stampede-to-touch-the-feet-of-baba-sakar-hari-2024-07-02|access-date=2 July 2024|work=Amar Ujala|language=hi|date=2 July 2024|archive-date=2 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702195209/https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/hathras/hathras-accident-happened-due-to-stampede-to-touch-the-feet-of-baba-sakar-hari-2024-07-02|url-status=live}}</ref> Some of the victims fell into a roadside drain during the commotion, while others were crushed as they were sitting or squatting on the ground.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hathras: What we know about crush that killed 121 in Uttar Pradesh|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyr7kjvme44o|date=3 July 2024|access-date=3 July 2024|work=[[BBC News]]|first1=Cherylann|last1=Mollan|first2=Dilnawaz|last2=Pasha|archive-date=3 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703073904/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyr7kjvme44o|url-status=live }}</ref>

==Investigation==
Pal was believed to be in his [[ashram]] in [[Mainpuri district]] in the aftermath of the incident.<ref>{{cite news|title=Grief and anger after India crush kills 121|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6p231q5gpro|access-date=3 July 2024|work=[[BBC News]]|date=3 July 2024|first=Anbarasan|last=Ethirajan|archive-date=3 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703102155/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6p231q5gpro|url-status=live }}</ref> A lawyer for Pal said that he denied responsibility for the disaster and attributed it to "anti-social elements", while saying that a "criminal conspiracy" was being brought against him. He added that Pal would cooperate with the police investigation.<ref>{{cite news|title=India preacher denies blame for crush deaths|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2lk5q27jd4o|date=4 July 2024|access-date=4 July 2024|first1=Anbarasan|last1=Ethirajan|first2=Toby|last2=Luckhurst|work=[[BBC News]] }}</ref> At least 11 people,<ref>{{cite news |title='No woman left in my family now': India's Hathras mourns stampede victims |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/9/no-woman-left-in-my-family-now-indias-hathras-mourns-stampede-victims |access-date=10 July 2024 |work=[[Al Jazeera]] |archive-date=9 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709134431/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/9/no-woman-left-in-my-family-now-indias-hathras-mourns-stampede-victims |url-status=live }}</ref> including six of Pal's aides were arrested in connection with the disaster,<ref>{{cite news|title=Six arrested in connection with stampede in north India, police say|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/six-arrested-connection-with-stampede-north-india-police-say-2024-07-04/|access-date=4 July 2024|work=[[Reuters]]|first=Sakshi|last=Dayal|date=2 July 2024 }}</ref> along with the chief organiser of the event. A judicial inquiry composed of three members was also created to investigate the incident.<ref>{{cite news |title=India event organiser arrested after fatal crush |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c725dxwdx19o |access-date=8 July 2024 |work=[[BBC]] |first=Meryl |last=Sebastian |date=8 July 2024 |archive-date=8 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708152937/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c725dxwdx19o |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 9 July 2024, after the preliminary investigation of the inquiry was completed, six government and police officials were suspended for their alleged negligent handling of the event. Senior officials were not notified about the event and according to the [[Government of Uttar Pradesh]], a Hathras senior district official had permitted the event to run without inspecting the venue. The panel also blamed the organisers for hiding details of the event in order to get permission to hold the event. In response to the preliminary findings, Pal's lawyer repeated the claim that the incident was a conspiracy.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Saurabh |last2=Patel |first2=Shivam |date=9 July 2024 |title=India suspends six police, government officials for stampede that killed 121 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-suspends-six-police-government-officials-stampede-that-killed-121-2024-07-09/?taid=668d251a9362c5000164159d&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter |access-date=9 July 2024 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

==Reactions==
[[President of india|President]] [[Droupadi Murmu]] and [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] expressed condolences over the disaster.<ref>{{cite news|title=Death toll from India stampede rises to at least 97, says official|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/2/at-least-27-dead-in-stampede-during-religious-gathering-in-northern-india|access-date=2 July 2024|work=[[Al Jazeera]]|date=2 July 2024|archive-date=2 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702123140/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/2/at-least-27-dead-in-stampede-during-religious-gathering-in-northern-india|url-status=live}}</ref> The ambassadors of China, France and Germany also expressed condolences.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hathras-stampede-several-envoys-in-india-mourn-loss-of-lives-101719967326151.html|title=Hathras stampede: Several envoys in India mourn loss of lives|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|agency=[[Press Trust of India]]|date=3 July 2024|access-date=3 July 2024|archive-date=3 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703012612/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hathras-stampede-several-envoys-in-india-mourn-loss-of-lives-101719967326151.html|url-status=live }}</ref>

On 17 July, Suraj Pal reiterated claims of a conspiracy, adding that he was "deeply saddened" over the disaster and that it was "inevitable" at the same time.<ref>{{cite news |title='No-one can change fate': India preacher on deadly crush |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c88657jdvqjo |access-date=19 July 2024 |work=[[BBC]] |first=Cherylann |last=Mollan |date=19 July 2024 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Crowd collapses and crushes#Crowd "stampedes"|Crowd "stampedes"]]{{snd}}When the term "stampede" is inaccurate and inappropriate.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Disasters in India in 2024}}
{{Human crushes}}

{{Auth}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Uttar Pradesh stampede, 2024}}
[[Category:2024 in religion]]
[[Category:2024 disasters in India]]
[[Category:Crowd collapses and crushes in India]]
[[Category:Disasters in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Hathras district]]
[[Category:Hinduism in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:July 2024 in India]]

2024 Hathras crowd crush - Revision history

Sindhu at 02:28, 26 December 2025