At least six people died and dozens were injured in a stampede at Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar.
Panic broke out after a high-voltage wire fell, sparking chaos among thousands of worshippers.
Tragedy struck in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on Sunday as at least six people lost their lives and dozens more sustained injuries in a stampede at the popular Mansa Devi Temple, following a panic-triggering power line incident.
Authorities say the stampede was sparked when a high-voltage overhead electric wire reportedly snapped and fell near a crowded temple path. The sudden sight of the falling wire triggered widespread panic, causing a frantic scramble among worshippers that resulted in the deadly crush.
Local police officer Ritesh Saha told The Times of India that the panic was immediate and uncontrollable. “The sight of the wire falling caused immediate panic, and a desperate scramble to escape led to the stampede,” he said.
According to reports, one victim was electrocuted while the others died from injuries sustained in the stampede. Over 35 injured individuals were taken to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. Hospital staff described the scene as chaotic but noted that the situation is now stable.
Uttarakhand state official Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed the fatalities and stated that a rescue operation was swiftly launched, involving police and emergency medical teams. “The situation is now under control,” he said.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the incident, posting on X that the news of the stampede was “extremely distressing.”
An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the wire collapse and to assess whether adequate crowd-control measures were in place, particularly given that Haridwar attracts millions of pilgrims annually.
This is the latest in a troubling pattern of deadly crowd incidents at religious events in India. Similar tragedies have occurred in recent months. In June, a stampede at a Hindu festival in Odisha left three dead, while in May, six people were killed during a fire-walking ceremony in Goa. Earlier this year, a crowd crush during the Kumbh Mela festival in Uttar Pradesh claimed at least 30 lives.
Authorities are urging greater attention to safety protocols at religious gatherings, especially as pilgrimages continue to draw massive crowds that often overwhelm local infrastructure and facilities.
