Stampede at Haridwar's Mansa Devi Temple Kills Six, Injures 28
A stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar killed at least six devotees and injured 28 others on Sunday. The incident occurred during a heavy rush of pilgrims when panic was allegedly sparked by a rumour of an electric current leak on the staircase route. The Uttarakhand government has ordered a magisterial probe into the tragedy and announced compensation for the victims. The event has once again highlighted the persistent challenges of crowd management and safety at major religious sites across India.
Unpacked:
Authorities and temple officials differ: police and witnesses cite panic from a rumour about an electric current, while temple authorities claim a devotee slipping triggered the chaos. Both agree crowd management failures played a role, and a magisterial probe is underway to determine the precise cause.
The stampede occurred during the holy month of Shravan, a peak pilgrimage period for Hindu devotees. Thousands had gathered at the Mansa Devi temple, which is especially crowded on weekends and festival days, increasing the risk of crowding and accidents.
Police and disaster response teams quickly responded, rescuing 35 people and restoring order. The Uttarakhand government announced a magisterial inquiry, forensic evidence is being collected, and compensation has been promised to victims’ families.
Major religious sites in India often face crowd surges during festivals, with limited infrastructure and inadequate safety protocols. Previous incidents have highlighted recurring issues such as insufficient crowd control, lack of clear evacuation routes, and delayed emergency responses, making such tragedies more likely.