Deadly Stampede at India's Mansa Devi Temple: Seven Killed, Dozens Injured
A tragic stampede at the revered Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on Sunday, July 27, 2025, has resulted in the deaths of at least seven people and injuries to dozens of devotees. While initial reports suggested a high-voltage electric wire had fallen, authorities later clarified that a rumor of electrocution triggered the panic, leading to the deadly crowd surge on the narrow pathway.
Details of the Incident:
Time and Location: The stampede occurred around 9:30 AM local time on the pedestrian pathway leading up to the Mansa Devi Temple, which is perched atop the Shivalik Hills in Haridwar. Thousands of pilgrims were thronging the temple for prayers during the holy month of Sawan, a period of heightened religious activity.
Casualties: Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Parmendra Singh Dobal confirmed that seven people died as a result of the stampede, and approximately 35 individuals were rushed to a hospital, with 27 receiving treatment for various injuries. Reports from different sources varied slightly, with some initially stating six or eight deaths. Among the deceased, four were reportedly from Uttar Pradesh.
Cause of Stampede: Contrary to initial fears of a direct electrocution, the stampede was primarily triggered by a rumor that a high-voltage electric wire had snapped and fallen on the temple path, causing electric shocks. This false alarm led to immediate panic among the dense crowd. Temple authorities, including Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of the Mansa Devi temple trust, stated that the chaos began when a devotee slipped amidst the overwhelming surge of pilgrims, which then compounded the panic from the rumors.
Contributing Factors:
Overwhelming Crowd: The temple was experiencing an unusually large influx of pilgrims due to the auspicious month of Sawan, leading to severe overcrowding.
Narrow Pathway: The route to the temple is narrow and primarily meant for foot traffic, creating a bottleneck that quickly became unmanageable once panic set in.
Lack of Control: Eyewitnesses described the crowd becoming "uncontrollable" on the steps leading to the temple premises.
Rescue and Response:
Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and fire brigade teams were immediately deployed to the site to conduct relief and rescue operations.
The injured were transported to local hospitals, including the District Hospital, for treatment.
Authorities confirmed that the situation was eventually brought under control.
Official Reactions and Investigation:
Condolences: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, extending condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also expressed distress and assured that rescue efforts were underway, confirming he was in constant contact with local administration.
Inquiry Ordered: A magisterial inquiry has been ordered, led by Haridwar District Magistrate Mayur Dixit, to investigate the precise cause of the stampede, including who might have spread the rumor and whether proper crowd management protocols were in place.
Denial of Electrocution: Officials from Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) conducted an inspection of electrical panels and power lines at the temple and clarified that there was "no leakage of electric current in any of their assets" that could have triggered the incident. They emphasized that no one suffered an electric shock or was electrocuted.
This incident highlights the persistent challenges of crowd management at popular pilgrimage sites in India, especially during peak seasons.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
