At least six people have died and 29 others were injured in a stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar, northern India, according to local officials. The incident occurred on the staircase leading to the temple, where a large crowd had gathered for the annual pilgrimage season.
Senior police officer Pramendra Singh Dobal confirmed that 33 people were rescued, with six fatalities. The injured have been admitted to hospital. Reports indicate that panic broke out around 9am after someone shouted about an electric current on the pathway, leading to confusion and a crush.
Local priest Ujjwal Pandit told the Associated Press that the narrow path, meant only for foot traffic, exacerbated the situation, and a wall along the route worsened the bottleneck. District magistrate Mayur Dixit stated that a high-voltage electric wire falling on the path may have triggered the stampede.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed distress over the incident on social media, stating that relief and rescue operations are being closely monitored. Local police and rescue teams have been deployed to the site.
This tragedy adds to a series of stampedes at Hindu religious gatherings in India. Last month, three people died in Puri, and in February, 79 pilgrims lost their lives at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, according to local investigations.
