Numerous bodies were lying on ice blocks inside the government hospital in Hathras 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 Sikandra Rao area for the 'Satsang' by religious preacher Bhole Baba.
The stampede occurred around 3.30 pm when Baba was leaving the venue.
Outside the Sikandra Rao Community Health Centre, which is the nearest healthcare facility to the stampede location, scores of people persistently searched for their missing family members well into the night.
Rajesh, a resident of Kasganj district, mentioned that he was trying to locate his mother, as Shivam was looking for his paternal aunt (bua).
Both individuals held mobile phones and displayed images of their relatives.
"I watched my mother's picture on a news channel and recognised her. She had come for the programme here along with two dozen other people from our village," Rajesh said.
Several bodies were held at the local hospital. Some were located at the trauma centre in Sikandrarau near the scene of the incident, while others were transferred to the government hospital in the neighbouring Etah district.
The District Magistrate Ashish Kumar informed the media that it was a private event for which permission was granted by the sub-divisional magistrate. The local authorities provided security outside the venue, while the organizers were responsible for the internal arrangements.
The Uttar Pradesh government stated that the event organisers will face legal action, as an FIR will be filed against them.
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