Haridwar: At least six people have lost their lives and nearly 35 others were injured in a stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, after a high-voltage electric wire reportedly fell on a crowded temple path.
The tragic incident occurred as thousands of devotees gathered at the popular hilltop shrine during a busy pilgrimage period. Local police said the falling wire triggered panic among worshippers, causing a desperate rush to escape.
Ritesh Saha, a local police official stated that, “The sight of the wire falling caused immediate panic, and a desperate scramble to escape led to the stampede.” Vinay Shankar Pandey, a senior government official, confirmed the fatalities, stating that one person died from electrocution while the rest succumbed to injuries sustained in the resulting stampede. Emergency services responded swiftly, and the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Pandey remarked that, “The situation is now under control. But the panic led to tragic consequences.”
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the wire collapse and are assessing whether crowd control measures were adequately implemented. The temple, which attracts millions of devotees annually, was reportedly overwhelmed by the large gathering.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his condolences on the social media platform X, calling the incident ‘extremely distressing.’
Crowd-related tragedies at religious gatherings remain a recurring concern in India. In recent months, similar stampedes have occurred during festivals and rituals across the country, underscoring the ongoing challenges of managing massive crowds at spiritual sites.
The Mansa Devi Temple, dedicated to the goddess Mansa, is one of the most revered shrines in northern India. Pilgrims often undertake the arduous trek up the hill to offer prayers, especially during religious holidays and weekends.
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