Six devotees were killed and dozens injured when a stampede broke out at the narrow stairway to the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar. The stampede was reportedly triggered by a rumour that an electric wire had snapped and fallen on the temple path.The chaos unfolded around 9 am on the pedestrian route to the revered temple perched over 500 feet above sea level. The route, already packed with devotees due to the weekend rush, turned deadly within moments as the rumour spread through the crowd.Videos from the scene showed visuals of men, women and children caught in the crush, some trampled, others clinging to railings for safety. Eyewitnesses spoke of bodies strewn across the path.“We went for darshan, but the main gate was closed due to the rush. Suddenly, people began running and leaping over each other. They ran over my head and our children. People lay on the ground like lifeless dolls,” a tearful devotee said while talking to reporters.Another pilgrim from Uttar Pradesh, with injuries on his arms and legs, said the stampede happened in a flash. “There was no space to move. Someone shouted, and the crowd just surged forward. I fell and couldn’t get up,” he recounted.The authorities said of around 35 persons rushed to the hospital, six died. The condition of some of the injured is critical, they said.Four of the six persons who lost their lives were residents of Uttar Pradesh.District Magistrate Mayur Dixit said initial reports pointed to a rumour as the trigger. “We have analysed photographs and videos. There is no evidence of a live wire or electrocution. It appears someone deliberately spread panic. A magisterial probe is being initiated.”Superintending Engineer (EDC) Pradeep Kumar ruled out any technical fault. “Our systems are checked every 15 days. The wires are insulated. There is no chance of an electric mishap,” he said.Mahant Ravindra Puri, president, Mansa Devi Temple Trust, claimed that the stampede was triggered when a devotee lost footing during a sudden rush of pilgrims towards the shrine.Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident. In a message on X, the PM said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of lives in the stampede and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. “The local administration is providing all necessary assistance,” the post added.Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the incident and assured swift action. “It is a deeply saddening incident. Our SDRF teams, police, and medical units responded promptly and are conducting rescue and relief operations. We are ensuring proper medical care for the injured,” he posted on Facebook.The CM also announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased, along with Rs 50,000 for each of those injured.
6 die as live wire rumour triggers stampede at Haridwar temple
