Visuals showed injured devotees being taken to the hospital in ambulances
- Six people died and several were injured in a stampede at Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar
- The stampede happened on staircases leading to the main temple during a large crowd gathering
- Rescue operations are underway by Uttarakhand Police's State Disaster Response Force, and local police
Six people have died and dozens of devotees suffered injuries 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. Cops suggest rumours about potential electrocution caused panic among the crowd and led to the stampede.
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 dead have been identified as Aarush (12), Vivek (18), Wakeel, and Shanti from Uttar Pradesh; Vipin Saini (18), from Uttarakhand; and Shakal Dev (18), from Bihar. Besides, 28 others were injured. Five of them suffered serious injuries.
Uttarakhand Police's State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the local police are engaged in relief operations, said Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
"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," Pramendra Singh Dobal, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Haridwar, said.
The tragedy unfolded during the auspicious Hindu month of Sawan, 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.
Narrating the incident, an injured devotee from Bihar told news agency ANI that 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.
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.
President Droupadi Murmu called it "deeply painful". She extended condolences to the grieving families and prayed for the injured's quick recovery.
Chief Minister Dhami said he is in touch with the local authorities and is 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," said Mr Dhami.
The Uttarakhand government has announced financial assistance of Rs 2lakh for the families of victims and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
Uttarakhand Police helpline numbers: (+91) 94111 12973, 9520625934
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