Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, July 27: At least seven people have been killed and about 50 others injured in a stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in the holy city of Haridwar in Uttarakhand.
The stampede occurred on the staircases on the temple road leading to the main temple. Pramendra Singh Dobal, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Haridwar, said, “Prima facie, rumours of electric shock to a devotee on stairs 100 metres down the temple route panicked others at the spot leading to the stampede” adding that cops were investigating the actual causes.
According to officials, the incident took place at around 9.30 a.m. The State Disaster Response Force and the fire brigade are at the spot. Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said a huge crowd had gathered at the Mansa Devi temple before the stampede. Visuals showed injured devotees being taken to the hospital in ambulances and several others undergoing treatment. The total injury count is pegged at 55.
Uttarakhand Police’s State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the local police are engaged in relief operations, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said.
M Dobal said, “The police force reached the spot immediately and began the rescue operation. Around 35 injured people were admitted to the hospital, out of which six deaths have been confirmed. The main cause behind the stampede appears to be panic triggered by rumours about an electric current.”
The tragedy unfolded during the auspicious Hindu month of Shravan, which witnesses a rush of devotees at all pilgrimage points in the city. Haridwar is also a major destination for Shiv devotees, Kanwariyas, who visit the city to collect water from the Ganga during this time. Every year, Haridwar witnesses the influx of pilgrims during the month of Shravan, primarily at the revered Mansa Devi Temple.
Narrating the incident, an injured devotee from Bihar said a huge crowd had suddenly gathered at the temple, which led to the stampede. As people tried to jostle their way out of the crowd, he fell and fractured his hand.
Another injured person, who was at the spot, claimed, “Just 20-25 steps before the temple premises, the crowd became uncontrollable… I fell down along with 10 to 12 others… I found 3 of my family members, but 2 are still missing.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences to the victims’ families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede on the route to Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected,” he said.
Chief Minister Dhami said he is in touch with the local authorities and was closely monitoring the situation. “It is extremely distressing to receive news of a stampede on the route to the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar. @uksdrf, local police, and other rescue teams have reached the site and are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I am in constant contact with the local administration regarding this matter, and the situation is being closely monitored. I pray to Mother Goddess for the safety and well-being of all devotees,” Mr Dhami said.