Six Killed, Dozens Injured in India Mansa Devi Temple Stampede
At least six people were killed and more than 30 others injured following a stampede on Sunday at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, during a religious pilgrimage in the Hindu holy month of Shravan.
The incident occurred on the stairway leading to the temple, one of the most visited shrines in the region, as large crowds gathered for morning prayers.
According to local officials, panic broke out after a rumour spread that a live electric wire had snapped, sparking fear of electrocution among worshippers.
Authorities confirmed that the ensuing rush caused a deadly crush at a narrow section of the stairway. Emergency services responded swiftly, with several of the injured transferred to nearby hospitals, including AIIMS Rishikesh. Some remain in critical condition.
The deceased have been identified as Arush (12), Shakal (18), Vicky (18), Vipin (18), Vakil, and Shanti. All were part of groups making the pilgrimage to the sacred site.
Senior officials, including Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey and SSP Pramendra Singh Dobal, stated that there was no actual electrocution or electrical fault. A preliminary investigation suggests that a false alarm led to mass panic in an already overcrowded area.
In response to the tragedy, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident. He also declared financial compensation of ₹2 lakh (approximately N3,665,618) for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.
“The loss of lives in this unfortunate incident is deeply saddening. We will ensure that those responsible for spreading false rumours face strict action,” the Chief Minister said in a statement.
The stampede highlights ongoing concerns over crowd management and safety protocols at major religious sites in India. Experts have repeatedly urged authorities to implement stricter control measures during high-traffic festivals to prevent such avoidable tragedies.
As of press time, local police continue to monitor the area while efforts are underway to manage crowd flow and ensure no further risks to pilgrims.
