A tragic stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, claimed the lives of at least six people and left 30 to 40 others injured on Sunday morning. The incident occurred as a massive crowd of devotees had gathered at the temple premises, leading to panic and chaos. Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed the fatalities while speaking to news agency ANI. "Six people died in a stampede after a huge crowd gathered at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar. I am heading to the spot. A detailed report on the incident is awaited," he said. According to early reports, the injured were immediately rushed to the nearby GD Hospital for treatment, and several ambulances were deployed to assist in the rescue effort.
Following the tragedy, an immediate response was launched by the administration. Rescue teams, including Uttarakhand SDRF and local police, quickly arrived at the scene to manage the situation. District Magistrate of Haridwar, Mayur Dixit, addressed the media and revealed that initial investigations suggest the stampede may have been triggered by a false rumour. “Based on video footage and images, it seems someone spread misinformation about an electric wire snapping. However, no signs of electrocution were observed on the victims. A magisterial inquiry will be conducted, and CCTV footage and other evidence will be reviewed to identify who spread the rumour,” he stated.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, "It is extremely distressing to receive news of a stampede on the route to the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar. Uttarakhand SDRF, local police, and other rescue teams have reached the site and are engaged in relief and rescue operations." He further added that he was in continuous contact with local authorities and was closely monitoring the situation. "I pray to the Mother Goddess for the safety and well-being of all devotees," he wrote.
A thorough investigation is now underway, and authorities have assured that all angles will be examined to determine the cause and prevent such incidents in the future.