Six Killed in Haridwar Temple Stampede
A tragic stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar on July 27 claimed the lives of six devotees and left more than 30 others injured. The incident took place early in the morning during the Shravan month pilgrimage, when a large crowd had gathered to offer prayers.
Panic Triggered by False Alarm
According to local officials, the stampede was triggered by a sudden panic among the crowd after someone raised an alarm about a snapped electric wire. Although no live wire was actually found at the site, the rumour caused devotees to rush down the already packed stairway, leading to people getting trampled and crushed.
Victims and Emergency Response
Out of the 30-plus injured, at least two remain in critical condition. Emergency services responded swiftly, and all victims were transported to nearby hospitals. Those with severe injuries were later shifted to AIIMS Rishikesh for further treatment. The injured include men, women, and children.
Government Response and Inquiry
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured. He also ordered a magisterial inquiry to determine the exact cause of the stampede and to identify any lapses in crowd management.
Safety Measures Under Review
The incident has led to serious questions about crowd control measures at the temple, particularly during peak pilgrimage times. Officials believe the narrow pathway and a boundary wall worsened the bottleneck effect. Authorities have now restricted access to the stairway and are reviewing security arrangements to prevent future incidents.
National Reaction
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery. The tragedy has sparked fresh concern over the safety of pilgrims at popular religious sites, especially during festivals and holy months.
