Tragic Stampede at Haridwar's Mansa Devi Temple Claims Lives

Tragic Incident at Mansa Devi Temple

On Sunday morning, a tragic stampede occurred at the renowned Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, resulting in the deaths of at least six individuals and leaving several others injured. Following the incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami promptly visited the hospital to check on the injured and assured them of all possible assistance. The Chief Minister has also ordered a magistrate inquiry into this unfortunate event and promised strict action against those spreading rumors.

Financial Assistance for Victims

In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister Dhami announced financial aid of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Some seriously injured devotees have been referred to AIIMS Rishikesh for advanced treatment.

Cause of the Stampede: Rumors of Electric Shock?

Initial reports suggested that the stampede was triggered by rumors of a fallen electric line in a crowded area. However, Mahant Ravindra Puri, the president of the Mansa Devi Temple Trust, denied that an electric shock was involved. He explained, 'There are three routes to the Mansa Devi Temple - the ropeway, a vehicle path, and an ancient path from Har Ki Pauri. When a large crowd gathered, the police were informed, and barricades were set up, but the crowd surged forward, causing someone to slip, which led to the incident. When temple officials arrived with the police, we transported all the injured to the district hospital for treatment. This was not an electric shock incident, and there were no signs of such an occurrence. We will assist the affected families.'

UPCL Denies Electric Shock Claims

Pradeep Kumar, the executive engineer of Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), also dismissed the possibility of an electric shock. He stated, 'A tragic incident occurred today resulting in the loss of some devotees. We initially received information about an electric shock. We regularly inspect this area, and the entire system is insulated. We thoroughly checked the site and found no signs of electrical leakage. There was no tripping or shutdown in the system, and the hospital has not reported any cases of electric shock. The electrical system here is completely safe.'

PM Modi Expresses Condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over this tragic incident and extended his condolences to the affected families. He stated that local authorities are providing all possible support to those impacted.

Helpline Established

The state disaster management secretary announced the establishment of special helpline numbers to obtain information about the deceased or injured in the accident. People can contact these numbers for assistance.

District Emergency Operation Center, Haridwar: 01334-223999, 9068197350, and 9528250926

State Emergency Operation Center, Dehradun: 0135-2710334, 2710335, 8218867005, and 9058441404