Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Haridwar: A stampede broke out at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar early Sunday morning, claiming the lives of seven devotees and leaving 15 others seriously injured. The incident took place around 6 am when a large number of worshippers had gathered at the temple to offer prayers during the holy month of Sawan.
According to eyewitnesses, everything was going smoothly till a rumour spread that there was an electric current in the wire which some people were using for support while climbing up the temple stairs. Hearing this, panic gripped the crowd. People began pushing each other and trying to run away. In the chaos, some devotees fell on the stairs. Others started running to save themselves, trampling those who had fallen.
Within minutes, the peaceful environment turned into one of chaos and fear. People were seen screaming, running in all directions and trying to pull their loved ones out of the crowd. Due to monsoon rains, the narrow lanes leading to the temple were already slippery and waterlogged, adding to the difficulties.
Rescue teams, including the local police, reached the site quickly. Haridwar district magistrate Mayur Dixit confirmed that six people lost their lives and 15 were injured in the stampede. The injured were taken to the district hospital for treatment. The rescue operation is still underway and the area is being closely monitored by the administration.
The Kotwali in-charge, Ritesh Shah, also confirmed that the stampede was triggered by panic after the rumour about the electric current spread. The district magistrate said some devotees had indeed been holding onto a wire while climbing the stairs, but there was no actual electric current in it.
The incident has deeply saddened the entire state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief, saying, "I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and property in the stampede on the Mansa Devi temple road in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. I express my condolences to those who lost their loved ones and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. The local administration is helping the affected people."
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also took to X and said that he is in constant touch with the local administration and monitoring the situation. He prayed for the safety of all the devotees.
