What truly triggered the deadly panic that swept through the spiritual gathering remains shrouded in mystery—was it a sudden accident, a whispered rumor, or something far more sinister lurking beneath the surface?
As investigators dig deeper, unsettling questions arise about possible negligence and hidden dangers that may have turned a peaceful event into a fatal catastrophe. For Vinod Kumar and many others, the answers can’t come soon enough.
Vinod Kumar was away from home on Tuesday, as he often is for extended periods, searching for masonry work, when he received the devastating news. All the women in his family—spanning three generations—had died, tragically crushed in a stampede.
Throughout the day, Mr. Kumar and his three sons moved from one hospital to another, desperately trying to locate their loved ones among the 121 victims who lost their lives when a large crowd gathered for a spiritual guru suddenly descended into chaos.
Just before midnight, they finally identified the bodies of his wife, Raj Kumari, 42, and his 9-year-old daughter, Bhumi, at the government hospital in Hathras. Their bodies were laid out on large slabs of ice alongside dozens of others in the hospital corridor.
A Nation in Mourning
This devastating tragedy has left a community shattered, as families like Vinod Kumar’s endure unimaginable loss. The deadly stampede at the spiritual gathering claimed 121 lives, including three generations of a single family, highlighting the fragile nature of life amid chaos.
As loved ones search tirelessly for answers and the bodies of those lost, the weight of grief and sorrow hangs heavy.
This heartbreaking event serves as a solemn reminder of the urgent need for safety measures at large public gatherings to prevent such catastrophic loss in the future.