More than 100 killed in Indian religious event stampede, officials say
Washington PostJUN 2024
India: Stampede at Religious Gathering Claims Over 100 Lives
Above: Relatives of victims who died in a stampede gather outside a hospital on July 02, 2024 in Hathras, India. Image copyright: Getty Images/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This isn't the first time Bhole Baba has organized a dangerously large gathering, having previously held a 50K-strong event despite only being approved for less than 100 people. As the event organizer, he must be thoroughly investigated and held accountable.
Narrative B
While Bhole Baba and his event should be investigated, it's important to note that India has a history of deadly religious events, some of which bring up to 1M attendees. Authorities should implement proactive steps — such as improved crowd control and safety planning — to prevent such tragedies from ever occurring again.