What caused the stampede at Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar?

The tragic stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on Sunday left at least six people dead and several others injured. The toll is likely to increase as some of the injured are in critical condition.

According to initial assessment by the police and eyewitness accounts, the stampede possibly broke out due to a sudden surge in devotees and rumours of an electric current on the temple stairs.

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According to officials, the stampede began on the main stairway leading to the shrine when someone spread a rumour that an electric wire had fallen on the stairs and that current was running through the metal railings.

In panic, devotees started pushing each other to escape the narrow passage, causing people to fall over one another.

“Preliminary probe suggests that panic spread after rumours about an electric wire. People tried to move away, which resulted in jostling, and they fell on each other,” said Haridwar SSP Pramendra Singh Dobal.

Sudesh Sharma, an eyewitness from Bihar who was injured in the incident, recounted the panic that led to the deadly crush.

“I had come to the Mansa Devi Temple to offer prayers. While we were on the stairs, a massive crowd suddenly surged, and in that chaos, we fell. Many people suffered injuries, everyone fell during the stampede,” Sharma, a resident of Bihar, told a news agency.

Meanwhile, the Haridwar police have launched an investigation and are collecting forensic evidence to determine the exact sequence of events.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered a magisterial inquiry and announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

He further said strict action will be taken against whoever is found guilty, adding that all possible efforts are being made to help the injured.