A devastating stampede occurred at the revered Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar on Sunday morning, leaving 8 devotees dead and 30 injured. The tragedy unfolded around 9 a.m. on a narrow stairway leading to the temple, which was overcrowded due to the holy month of Shravan.
Cause of the Stampede
- A rumor that a high-voltage electric wire had fallen on the path triggered panic among thousands of devotees.
- The narrow 1.5 km stretch leading to the temple became choked, with people pushing and shoving to escape.
- Eyewitnesses reported people leaping over walls and climbing electric poles in desperation.
Victims Identified
The deceased included minors and elderly pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttarakhand:
- Aarush (12), Bareilly, UP
- Vikki (18), Rampur, UP
- Vishal (19), Rampur, UP
- Vipin Saini (18), Kashipur, Uttarakhand
- Vakeel (43), Barabanki, UP
- Ram Bharose (65), Budaun, UP
- Shanti Devi (60), Budaun, UP
- Shakaldev (18), Araria, Bihar
Injured and Medical Response
- Injured devotees were rushed to AIIMS Rishikesh and Haridwar District Hospital.
- Victims hailed from UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Haryana, and Chandigarh.
- Rescue operations were swiftly carried out by SDRF, NDRF, and local police.
Official Reactions
- CM Pushkar Singh Dhami announced:
- ₹2 lakh compensation for families of the deceased
- ₹50,000 for the injured
- A magisterial probe into the incident
- PM Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu expressed condolences and support for the victims.
Crowd Management Concerns
- The temple sees a surge in devotees during Sawan, especially on weekends.
- Local residents and opposition leaders criticized the lack of crowd control measures.
- Authorities are now reviewing barricading and entry limits to prevent future tragedies.
