In the quaint village of Pularai in Hathras, calamity struck during the spiritual discourse of Bhole Baba, resulting in 107 fatalities. 27 of the deceased were conveyed to the hospital in Etah, while the remainder reached the Sikandra Rao Hospital in Hathras. The moment the sermon concluded, a stampede ensued, and a nearby ditch became a death trap for many. Victims remained trapped for about 2 hours. Hospitals are now overwhelmed by the number of casualties.
The arrangement at the sermon was so inadequate that the transportation of the deceased to hospitals became a Herculean task, with some being carried on motorcycles and others in autorickshaws. Heart-wrenching scenes emerged from the site, showcasing the chaos that unfolded amidst thousands of devotees who had arrived by the busload to attend Bhole Baba's gathering.
According to PTI reports, the dead and unconscious were transported to the Sikandra Rao Trauma Center in trucks and other vehicles. Bodies were laid out in front of the health center while crowds gathered in desperation. One video captures a woman weeping amongst five to six bodies in a truck, while another image shows two individuals, a man and a woman, laying unconscious in a vehicle.
In the wake of the Hathras tragedy, the district administration has released helpline numbers – 05722227041 and 05722227042 – to assist the general public.
