The Indian State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has said that at least six people were killed in a stampede after a large crowd gathered at the Mansa Devi temple shrine in the Northern Indian city of Haridwar which is a major destination for Shiv devotees, the Kanwariyas, who visit the city to collect water from the Ganga during this time.
The tragedy unfolded during the auspicious Hindu month of Sawan, which witnesses a rush of devotees at all pilgrimage points in the city.
The Chief Minister of India’s northern state of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami said that local Police and other rescue teams have reached the spot and are engaged in relief and rescue operations.
“Local police, and other rescue teams have reached the site and are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I am in constant contact with the local administration regarding this matter, and the situation is being closely monitored,” Dhami said.
Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey told journalists that the injured have been taken to the local hospital.
India has a history of crowd accidents and it should be remembered that at least 30 people died at the Maha Kumbh Hindu festival in January as tens of thousands gathered to dip in sacred waters and in June, at least 11 people died in crowd chaos outside an Indian Cricket Stadium.
The incident took place around 8.30am after a rumoured snapping of an overhead power line, which allegedly fell onto a crowded section of the walkway, triggering panic among pilgrims.
“We received reports of some people being injured, following which the police took immediate action. Around 35 people were brought to the hospital and 6 have been confirmed dead. The rest are undergoing treatment,” Haridwar Police Officer Pramendra Singh Dobal said.
Pramendra said that they are investigating further but preliminary information indicate that the stampede was triggered by a rumour of an electric shock on stairs 100 metres down the temple route.
Every year, Haridwar sees a massive influx of pilgrims during the month of Shravan, especially at the revered Har Ki Pauri and Mansa Devi Temple, however this year, the situation turned grim due to an overwhelming crowd, triggering a stampede that has once again spotlighted the issue of crowd management at religious gatherings.
