Key Points
- Six people died, 29 injured in a stampede at Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar, on Sunday morning.
- Initial panic was triggered by a rumor of electric shock on temple stairs; officials deny actual electric current.
- Relief and rescue teams rushed to the scene; all injured are now hospitalized.
- Incident happened during peak crowd for the holy month of Shravan.
- Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief and is monitoring the situation closely.
- No compensation announcement yet from the Uttarakhand government.
Haridwar: A tragic stampede at the revered Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, has left six dead and 29 others injured on Sunday morning. The accident occurred as thousands thronged the temple during the holy month of Shravan, a period that sees a surge of pilgrims from across the country.
What Sparked the Stampede?
According to Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police Pramod Singh Dobal, the chaos began when a rumor of an electric current on the temple stairs panicked devotees. Some witnesses stated that people began pushing and shoving as soon as the alarm was raised, leading to a sudden collapse in crowd control and resulting in a deadly stampede about 100 meters below the temple road.
While initial reports pointed to a possible electric shock as the cause, Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Vinay Kumar later clarified that no such electric fault occurred. The stampede, he emphasized, was sparked purely by fear and rumor, not an actual electric hazard.
Eyewitness Account
Devotees like Amrish Sharma recounted a chaotic scene: “Suddenly a huge crowd had gathered, and in that confusion, many people fell on each other. I was also injured,” he said. Police records confirm that 35 people were brought to local hospitals, with six succumbing to their injuries.
Emergency Response
Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local officials arrived at the scene within minutes, participating in rescue and relief efforts. The injured are being treated at nearby hospitals, and five with critical injuries were sent to AIIMS for advanced care. The situation at the temple is now under control, with authorities investigating the sequence of events in detail.
CM Dhami’s Reaction
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his sorrow on social media, stating, “Very sad news has been received about the stampede on the Mansa Devi temple road in Haridwar. SDRF, local police, and rescue teams are at the scene and engaged in relief and rescue operations.” He added that he remains in contact with local administration and is closely monitoring the situation. No compensation announcement has been made so far.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are interviewing witnesses, collecting forensic evidence, and reviewing crowd management protocols. The district magistrate confirmed that the massive influx of devotees during the ongoing Shravan season contributed to dangerous overcrowding on the narrow stairway leading to the temple.
Stay tuned for live updates as the investigation continues, and officials work to prevent similar tragedies during future religious gatherings in Haridwar.
