‘They Ran Over My Head, Our Children’: Haridwar Temple Stampede Eyewitness Recounts Horror That Killed Six
A stampede at Haridwar's Mansa Devi temple killed six and injured many due to rumors of electric current near the stairs.
In a stampede at a tragic incident at Haridwar's hilltop Mansa Devi temple, at least six people died and many were injured, reports news agency PTI. The report mentions that rumors of an electric current where the stairs to the temple begin sent people into panic, leading to the stampede, Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police Pramendra Singh Dobal told PTI Videos. About 35 people were rushed to the hospital, and six of them died, he said. The incident took place around 9 am.
Speaking on the incident, an eyewitness speaking to NDTV said that, "We had gone for darshan. The temple's main gate was closed since there was a huge crowd inside. People ran from that direction, and they jumped over each other. They ran over my head and our children. There were bodies scattered".
Another devotee from Bihar said that a huge crowd had suddenly gathered at the temple. People tried to jostle their way out of the crowd; the man fell and fractured his hand.
"People fell down while trying to run," he recounted.
Due to the holy month of Sawan, large crowds have been thronging the temple atop the Shivalik Hills at a height of over 500 feet. Being a Sunday, a heavy crowd of devotees, including children and women, was on its way to the temple through a narrow staircase. Haridwar District Magistrate Mayur Dixit said several electric wires were found broken at the site, indicating that some people may have attempted to climb using them for support.
News agency PTI-quoted videos showed worried family members waiting outside the hospital for news of their loved ones.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said a magisterial probe has been ordered.
"A stampede broke out at the Mansa Devi temple in the morning because of a rumour... We have ordered a magisterial probe into the incident, and those responsible for spreading the rumour will face strict action," Dhami said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the stampede.
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