Etah (UP): Asphyxia due to compression emerged as the primary cause of death among victims of the Hathras stampede brought to the district hospital here on Tuesday.

The hospital conducted four times the usual number of autopsies in response to the stampede, which claimed the lives of 121 people. Of the 27 bodies brought to Etah's mortuary, post-mortems were completed for 19, with preparations underway for the 20th body around midnight, said Additional Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ram Mohan Tiwari.

Most victims, predominantly women aged 40-50, succumbed to asphyxia due to compression, Tiwari noted. The hospital staff worked beyond regular hours to manage the increased workload, given that the average daily autopsies range from four to five cases.

Regarding the patients under treatment, four were admitted, with one discharged after initial care. Two others are stable, while a pregnant woman continues to receive treatment.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Minister Sandeep Singh has affirmed that strict actions would be taken against those responsible for the tragedy.

"Till now 121 people have died in the incident...The injured are being treated. Strict action will be taken against those found responsible for the incident. This is not a small incident", he said.

An FIR, meanwhile, has been registered against Devprakash Madhukar, referred to as 'Mukhya Sewadar' and other organisers of the 'Satsang' where the stampede occurred.

Uttar Pradesh police have also launched a search operation at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district in search of Narayan Saakar Hari also known as Bhole Baba, the preacher of the 'Satsang' in Hathras.

The preacher however remains untraceable.

Plea in Supreme Court to probe incident by expert committee

A petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday seeking direction to appoint a five-member expert committee under the supervision of a retired top Court judge to enquire into the Hathras stampede incident.

It further sought direction from the committee to suggest and frame guidelines and safety measures to avoid such incidents in a large number of public gatherings.

The plea filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari further sought direction to the State of Uttar Pradesh to submit a status report before the apex court in the Hathras stampede incident and initiate legal action against the persons, authorities and officials for their negligent conduct.