Haridwar Tragedy: 7 Dead, 55 Injured in Stampede at Mansa Devi Temple
Haridwar Mansa Devi Temple stampede leaves 7 dead and 55 injured amid Sawan rush. PM Modi and CM Dhami express condolences as rescue ops continue.
image for illustrative purpose
A tragic stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, claimed seven lives and left at least 55 devotees injured on Sunday. The incident occurred on the stairway leading to the main shrine, reportedly triggered by panic over rumours of electrocution.
How the Incident Unfolded
Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed that a massive crowd had gathered at the temple when the stampede broke out. Visuals from the site showed injured devotees being rushed to hospitals in ambulances, with many undergoing treatment for fractures and other injuries.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramendra Singh Dobal stated that initial reports confirmed six deaths, which later rose to seven, and that around 35 seriously injured devotees were admitted to nearby hospitals. “The main cause behind the stampede appears to be panic triggered by rumours about an electric current,” Dobal said.
Rescue Operations Underway
The Uttarakhand Police, along with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), swiftly launched relief and rescue operations. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he is in constant touch with local authorities and monitoring the situation closely.
Devotee Narratives
An injured devotee from Bihar, speaking to ANI, narrated that the sudden surge of devotees led to a chaotic rush. “I fell while trying to escape the crowd and fractured my hand,” he recounted.
PM Modi and CM Dhami Express Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the incident, saying:
"Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede on the route to Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar. My condolences to the families of the deceased, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The local administration is actively assisting those affected."
Chief Minister Dhami also extended his condolences and tweeted:
"It is extremely distressing to hear about the stampede at Mansa Devi Temple. Rescue teams from @uksdrf and local police are on site. I pray to the Mother Goddess for the safety and well-being of all devotees."
Heavy Rush During Sawan
The tragedy occurred during the holy month of Sawan, when thousands of Kanwariyas and Shiv devotees visit Haridwar to collect Ganga water. The unusually large gathering added to the crowding and chaos that led to the mishap.
