UP Hathras Stampede: "I am left with nothing...," says father of deceased 16-year-old daughter

A devastating stampede at a religious congregation in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday has resulted in 121 deaths and 28 injuries. The incident occurred during a 'Satsang' conducted by preacher Bhole Baba. One of the victims of the tragedy recount the horrifying details of the incident.

Vinod, who lost his wife, mother and 16-year-old daughter in the Hathras stampede, expressed his grief over the incident, saying that he lost everything.

Speaking to ANI, Vinod said, "I did not even know that all three had gone to the Satsang because he had gone somewhere outside. Someone told him that there was a stampede in the satsang after which I reached the spot and found out that my 16-year-old daughter, mother and wife had died. I could not even find my mother's body."

"I am left with nothing... everything is gone," Vinod added.

Kamla, the mother of another 16-year-old victim of the Hathras tragedy, expressed grief over the death of her daughter Roshni. She said, "I have been coming to Baba's satsang for 20 years. Today, I went to attend satsang with my 16-year-old daughter and a stampede broke out around 2 in the afternoon. I and my daughter were slightly injured. She was fine but as soon as she reached the hospital, she fell unconscious, later the doctors declared her dead."

Kunwar Pal, uncle of the deceased 3.5-year-old child, said, "The child had come here with his mother...His mother is still missing...We are a resident of Aligarh..."

Meanwhile, the husband of the deceased Gudiya Devi, Mehtab said, "I tried to stop her from attending the Baba's Satsang many times but she did not listen. She had come for the Satsang with our daughter & two neighbouring women. The two neighbouring women and my wife died in the incident...My daughter is safe..."

Heera Lal from Aligarh, a family member of a victim, said, "My entire family travelled in a bus to attend Satsang. All his family members are fine except his sister-in-law who got injured in the stampede."

Earlier, police conducted a search operation at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district in search of 'Bhole Baba', who conducted a Satsang in Hathras where a stampede took place on Tuesday.

"We did not find Baba ji inside the campus...He is not here..." said Deputy SP Sunil Kumar.

UP-Hathras Stampede: Official Response and Investigation

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, promising to uncover whether it was an accident or a conspiracy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. "The Uttar Pradesh government is providing all possible help to the victims," he stated on social media.

Police Action and Search for Bhole Baba
The Uttar Pradesh police have filed an FIR against the organizers of the event. Deputy SP Sunil Kumar confirmed that a search operation was conducted at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district for Bhole Baba, who remains untraceable.

Eyewitness Shakuntala Devi described the chaotic scene, "A stampede took place as the road was uneven, and people fell on each other."

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized the government's commitment to the investigation, forming a team led by Additional DG Agra to provide a detailed report.

Of the 28 injured, several are receiving treatment at hospitals in Aligarh, Hathras, and Agra. The Office of the Relief Commissioner reported that 19 victims are yet to be identified. Most casualties were women, with seven children and one man among the deceased.

The Uttar Pradesh Police continue to investigate the event, ensuring justice for the victims of this tragic incident.

(With inputs from ANI)