Hathras stampede: Ways to keep children and yourself safe if you get stuck in one

A horrific event unfolded in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, July 2, as a stampede erupted during a religious gathering in Hathras district. At least 121 people, predominantly women, lost their lives in the chaos.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the stampede, with initial reports suggesting overcrowding as a major factor. The organisers, reportedly, had permission for only 80,000 attendees, but it appears the event drew a significantly larger crowd, potentially exceeding a lakh (100,000) devotees.

The stampede reportedly occurred during a “satsang,” a spiritual gathering led by Narayan Sakar Vishwa Hari, also known as Bhole Baba. As devotees sought blessings from Bhole Baba, a ritual involving touching his feet and collecting dust from the ground he walked on, chaos erupted. Heavy rain and slippery conditions are believed to have exacerbated the situation, causing people to fall and be trampled in the ensuing panic.

According to Dr P Shiva Kumar, Consultant and Head of Department (Emergency Medicine) at the CARE Hospitals, HITEC City, Hyderabad, the first thing to keep in mind when caught in a stampede is to stay calm and keep one’s composure.

What are the things you must do if you’re caught in a stampede?

In the event of a stampede moving towards you, Dr Kumar advised moving with the crowd and keeping a strong footing to avoid losing balance and causing injury to oneself and others.

However, if knocked off balance in a stampede, Dr Kumar noted the best response is to curl into a ball to protect vital organs and body parts like the head and the chest. “In such a position, a majority of the damage from the running mob will be absorbed by the back of the body. It is advisable to protect the head with one’s arms and hands curled around the head. The body should stay fluid and move with blows and kicks rather than stiffen against them, to reduce pain and damage,” he explained in an interaction.

Similarly, when running in the stampede, try to avoid being pushed into walls or vehicles as such situations may also lead to being knocked off balance or fatal injury.

Police and people at the scene a day after the massive stampede that took place during a ‘satsang’ (Source: PTI Photo/Arun Sharma)

How do you keep children and yourself safe?

Holding children close to the body to protect their head and chest is the most suitable way to keep children safe in a mob or a stampede, according to Dr Kumar.

Depending on the availability of a safe spot in the area, it is advisable to crouch in a corner or pocket away from the stampede. Parents can crouch down in such pockets, until the crowd has diminished or the stampede has ended, he said.

However, the first course of action should be to move with the crowd and at the same speed as the crowd to avoid being knocked down by faster stampeders. When moving, however, one should ensure that obstacles like walls and vehicles are avoided. Getting crushed by a crowd can happen against such surfaces as well as on the ground.

What should be the first aid if you’ve managed to get out?

Surviving a stampede can be traumatic experience and thus survivors should be provided shock relief (resting, warm environment, etc.) and treatment for bruises and bleeding, according to Dr Kumar. Band aids and ointments can be applied on the necessary wounds and vital signs should be checked at the first available opportunity. After treating injuries and seeking medical aid, one should stay calm and reassure themselves and loved ones.

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