Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami orders magisterial probe into the incident; Rumours of an electric current where the stairs to the temple begin triggered panic among people, leading to the stampede, Haridwar’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramendra Singh Dobal said
Footwear lies at the site following a stampede at Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar on Sunday. PIC/PTI
A stampede broke out at Haridwar’s hilltop Mansa Devi temple where hundreds of devotees had gathered on Sunday, killing at least six and leaving 28 injured, police said. Rumours of an electric current where the stairs to the temple begin triggered panic among people, leading to the stampede, Haridwar’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramendra Singh Dobal said.
About 35 people were rushed to a hospital and six of them died, he said. The incident took place around 9 am. Being a Sunday, a large crowd of devotees had gathered at the temple atop the Shivalik hills at a height of more than 500 feet. Videos from the spot showed a massive rush of people, including children and women, towards the narrow entrance of the temple and outside the hospital, worried family members waiting for the news of their loved ones.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami meets an injured victim. PIC/PTI
The temple, dedicated to goddess Mansa Devi, is one of the five sacred sites or Panch Tirthas of Haridwar. Prime facie, it appears that the stampede broke out following a rumour that electricity was running through broken wires, District Magistrate Mayur Dikshit told reporters in Haridwar. Some broken wires were found at the site, suggesting that some people tried to climb up the stairs to the temple by clutching at those, he said. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the fire brigade are at the spot.
CM orders magisterial probe
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep distress and said that a magisterial probe has been ordered into the incident. “Very sad news has been received about a stampede on the way to Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar. SDRF, local police and other rescue teams have reached the spot and are engaged in relief and rescue operations,” Dhami said in a post on Facebook.
“I am constantly in touch with the local administration in this regard and the situation is being constantly monitored. I pray to Mata Rani for the safety of all the devotees,” he added. “A stampede broke out at the Mansa Devi temple in the morning because of a rumour.... We have ordered a magisterial probe into the incident and those responsible for spreading the rumour will face strict action,” Dhami told reporters.
Dhami also announced a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. He also visited the injured at the district hospital in Haridwar and assured their families of all help. The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Dehradun said five have been referred to the AIIMS in Rishikesh.
Major stampedes in the past 10 years
June 4, 2025: An RCB parade in celebration of the maiden IPL win after 18 years became a horrific sight, leaving at least 11 people dead and several injured in a stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
May 3, 2025: Six people died and around 100 people were injured in the stampede in the early hours during an annual festival of Sri Lairai Devi temple at Shirgao village in Goa.
Feb 15, 2025: Eighteen people, including women and children, died in a stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station. They were waiting to board the train to Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh.
Jan 29, 2025: Thirty people were killed and 60 were injured at a stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh as millions of pilgrims jostled for space to participate in 'Amrit Snan’.
Jan 8, 2025: Six devotees were killed and dozens were injured in a stampede as hundreds of them jostled for tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala Hills.
Dec 4, 2024: A 35-year-old woman died and a boy was injured at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad in a stampede where Allu Arjun’s blockbuster 'Pushpa 2’ was screened.
July 2, 2024: Between 100 and 120 people, including women and children, were killed after a stampede broke out at a 'satsang’ (prayer meeting) organised by a self-styled godman, Bhole Baba aka Narayan Saakar Hari, in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras.
March 31, 2023: Thirty-six people died when the slab constructed on top of an ancient 'bawdi’ or well collapsed during a 'havan’ programme held on the occasion of Ram Navami at a temple in Indore city.
Jan 1, 2022: Twelve people died and over a dozen were injured in a stampede at the famous Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir triggered by a heavy rush of devotees.
Sept 29, 2017: Twenty-three people lost their lives and 36 were injured in the stampede on the narrow bridge connecting the Elphinstone Road station of the Western Railway with Parel station of the Central Railway in Mumbai.
July 14, 2015: Twenty-seven pilgrims died and 20 others were injured in a stampede at a major bathing spot on the banks of the Godavari river where a huge crowd of devotees had gathered on the opening day of the ‘Pushkaram’ festival in Andhra Pradesh
Oct 3, 2014: Thirty-two people were killed and 26 others injured in a stampede at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, shortly after the Dussehra celebrations ended.
Source/PTI
Reactions
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede on the route to Mansa Devi Temple. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected.”
Droupadi Murmu, President
“The news of the death of many devotees in the stampede accident is deeply painful. I express my heartfelt condolences to all the grieving families. I pray that all the injured devotees recover quickly.”
Arvind Kejriwal, AAP chief expressed grief while also blaming the system for failure
“The heart-wrenching incident of a stampede has deeply saddened me. May God give strength to those devotees who have lost their loved ones and grant peace to the departed souls.”
Manish Sisodia, Senior AAP leader
“Several devotees lost their lives and many others were injured. I pray to god to grant peace to the departed souls, strength to their families to bear this grief and a speedy recovery to all the injured.”
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