Haridwar: A tragic stampede occurred on the route to the renowned Manasa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, resulting in the death of six devotees and injuries to nearly 30 others. According to preliminary investigations, the stampede was triggered by panic caused by rumours, District Magistrate Mayur Dikshit confirmed.
Officials revealed that false reports about an electric wire snapping caused widespread fear among the crowd. “Images and videos suggest that someone spread rumours about a live wire incident, but there is no evidence indicating that the victims died of electrocution,” said Dikshit. He added that an investigation has been ordered to identify the source of the misinformation.
A magisterial inquiry has been initiated, and authorities will also review CCTV footage from the area. The narrow pathway to the hilltop temple saw a sudden surge in crowd movement, leading to devotees falling over each other. Reports suggest that children were among the victims.
The incident occurred shortly after a road—previously closed due to the Kanwar Yatra—was reopened, allowing access to the temple.
VIDEO | Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) meets those injured in Haridwar's Mansa Devi temple stampede.
(Full video available on PTI Videos- https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/D2PoZvhxxE
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