!['The god took away my son': Indians grieve after deadly stampede](https://www.portugalcolonial.pt/media/shared/articles/5e/de/27/-The-god-took-away-my-son---Indians-148230.jpg)
-
Russian wrestlers reject Olympics invitation
-
Raducanu rediscovers Wimbledon 'fun' factor after turbulent spell
-
Winning all that matters at Euro 2024 for Mbappe's minimalist France
-
Eight dead, two million affected by Bangladesh floods
-
Robertson pleased to 'find a way' past England in tough Test baptism
-
Martin sets lap record to secure German MotoGP pole
-
'Shattered' Germany set sights on World Cup after Euros exit
-
Olympic hope Pedersen pulls out of Tour de France
-
Djokovic eyes sweet 16 at Wimbledon as Swiatek takes on 'gangster'
-
End beckons again for Ronaldo after Portugal Euros KO
-
New Zealand edge England 16-15 in tense, brutal first Test
-
Turkey take on Dutch in politically charged Euros quarter-final, England face Swiss
-
Calling for better ties with West, Iran reformist wins presidency
-
Cybercrime groups restructuring after major takedowns: experts
-
Activists hail Sierra Leone child marriage ban, urge action on FGM
-
Marsch relishing Canada's semi clash with Argentina
-
Canada stun Venezuela on penalties to reach Copa semis
-
Iran reformist Pezeshkian holds early lead in runoff vote
-
Swiatek faces 'gangster' threat, Djokovic feels need for Wimbledon speed
-
France holds its breath ahead of uncertain vote
-
Starmer begins UK 'rebuild' after landslide election win
-
Paris's Moulin Rouge inaugurates new windmill sails ahead of Olympics
-
Pan, Rai share halfway lead in PGA John Deere Classic
-
'I was feeling terrible' in debate, Biden says in TV interview
-
France coach Deschamps savours ending penalty hoodoo, defends Mbappe
-
Thompson bids farewell to Warriors after exit
-
Portugal exit Euros with pride, will return stronger: Martinez
-
UK's new PM Starmer speaks to world leaders, names top team
-
Spain and France to face off in Euros last four, Turkey lament 'unfair' Demiral ban
-
Israel says negotiators to hold fresh Gaza truce talks next week
-
France beat Portugal on penalties to reach Euro 2024 semi-finals
-
Endrick to start for Brazil in Uruguay Copa clash: Dorival
-
Heartbreak for Germany fans after dramatic Euros exit
-
Beryl heads for Texas after causing damage, no deaths in Mexico
-
Nagelsmann laments late penalty decision as hosts Germany exit Euros
-
Biden declares he's all in ahead of high-risk TV interview
-
Spain team 'is a winning horse', says De la Fuente
-
Bows at the ready, Chad villagers battle kidnappings
-
Alcaraz mimics Bellingham goal celebration after Wimbledon win
-
Olmo hopes Pedri can make speedy return for Euros semi-finalists Spain
-
Retiring Kroos hopeful despite Germany's 'bitter' Euros exit
-
Southgate turns on English 'entitlement' over claims of easy Euros draw
-
Merino extra-time goal sends Spain past Germany to Euro semis
-
Koeman demands Dutch silence fervent Turkish fans at Euros
-
Brad Pitt at Silverstone for filming of F1 movie
-
Raducanu storms into Wimbledon last 16
-
California fires spread in July 4 weekend heatwave
-
Alcaraz wins five-set Wimbledon thriller as Gauff eases through
-
Demiral Euros ban 'unfair' but Turkish pride will grow, says coach Montella
-
Gauff overpowers qualifier to reach Wimbledon fourth round
!['The god took away my son': Indians grieve after deadly stampede](https://www.portugalcolonial.pt/media/shared/articles/5e/de/27/-The-god-took-away-my-son---Indians-148230.jpg)
'The god took away my son': Indians grieve after deadly stampede
Hindu preacher Bhole Baba promised to improve the lives of poor Indian families struggling to get by.
Instead, the guru's latest rally in northern Uttar Pradesh state, which drew a 250,000-strong crowd of devotees on Tuesday, ended in death.
At least 121 people were killed in a stampede, many crushed, trampled or suffocated, in India's worst such tragedy in more than a decade.
"I thought that attending would improve my husband's situation and our life would become better," said 30-year-old Sudha, a devotee who attended the gathering.
She said the preacher had offered "peace and hope".
Sudha, who uses only one name, said she was attracted after hearing the positive changes he had made to other women who had attended his services.
"Husbands of women who attended stopped abusing them," she said, from the village of Northa. "They cut alcohol consumption and improved overall."
She took her youngest son Yuvansh, aged four, with her to the gathering.
The boy died under a pile of bodies after organisers lost control of the vastly overcrowded site.
A police report said more than 250,000 people attended the event in northern India's Uttar Pradesh state, more than triple the 80,000 for whom organisers had permission.
"Instead of improving life, the god took away my son," Sudha told AFP, referring to the preacher.
She rocked as she sobbed, then screamed out in grief and pain.
- 'Biggest mistake' -
The inconsolable mother said following the enigmatic religious guru was her "biggest mistake".
A portrait of the preacher still hung above her on the wall of her home.
Baba was little known elsewhere in India before the horrific crush but had cultivated a mass following among the poor and socially disenfranchised in Uttar Pradesh.
Religious gurus promising the world are common in India and are followed by millions hoping for miracles.
Almost all the devotees killed on Tuesday were women who came believing Baba, a former police constable, could help, said Sudha.
She walked, took a train and then hitch-hiked to see him speak, some 80 kilometres (50 miles) from her home.
Sudha was back in her rundown village of narrow streets and overflowing drains without her son on Wednesday, surrounded by women supporting her as she grieved.
- 'Charlatans' -
The family of Mira Devi, in the nearby village of Gohra, were also mourning.
The 55-year-old was one of five in her family who went to see Baba.
They returned on Wednesday carrying her corpse for cremation.
"Everyone was falling like mattresses," said her daughter-in-law Kamini, aged 28.
"I won't be able to ever attend any such huge gatherings again."
She said she heard about Baba's preaching from social media and enjoyed his life lessons, catchy quotes and promises for a better future.
Rinki, her 25-year-old sister, said they decided to go "after some problems at our home".
"We thought it'd help us, like it has helped many others," she said.
Rinki was crushed under dying bodies with her daughter but clutched onto her with a vice-like grip.
They managed to claw their way out to fresh air.
"I just held on to her arm tightly," Rinki said.
Baba vanished after the gathering and police want to question him.
Om Vati, 40, of Northa village, said the stampede should alert people to the type of man Baba is.
"The government must stop these charlatans," Vati said.
"Dozens of households have been ruined and mothers are crying because of them."
A.Santos--PC