Tragedy at Satsang: Deadly Stampede Claims 116 Lives

A deadly stampede at a religious congregation in Sikandrarau area led to the death of 116 people, most of them women and children. The stampede occurred as the crowd rushed to touch the feet of the departing religious preacher, Baba Bhole. Survivors recount the chaos and inadequate facilities.

Scores of bodies were lying on blocks of ice inside the government hospital here on Tuesday night in the aftermath of the deadly stampede at a religious congregation, as the wailing relatives of the victims waited outside in drizzle to take mortal remains back home.

Officials have put the death toll at 116 — 108 of them women and seven children. The victims were part of the crowd of thousands that had gathered near Phulrai village in the Sikandrarau area for the 'satsang' by religious preacher Bhole Baba.

The stampede took place at around 3.30 pm when Baba was leaving the venue. An inconsolable scene unfolded outside Sikandra Rao Community Health Centre, the closest healthcare facility, where many continued searching for their missing family members late into the night.