12 Dead, 20 Injured In Stampede At Vaishno Devi Shrine In Jammu. PM Modi Announces Ex Gratia

Officials said 12 people died in the stampede and their bodies have been shifted to a hospital in the Katra base camp for identification and other legal formalities.

Relatives cry for a missing relative at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: While the country was busy welcoming the new year 2022 filled with hopes and promises, the country witnessed a tragedy as 12 people lost their lives in a stampede in Jammu and Kashmir.

At least 12 people were killed and 20 others injured in a stampede at the famous Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir triggered by a heavy rush of devotees, officials said on Saturday.

The stampede occurred near gate number three outside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine atop Trikuta hills.

According to a PTI report, the stampede was triggered by a heavy rush of devotees who have come to pay their obeisance to mark the beginning of the New Year 2022.

Senior officials and shrine board representatives are on the spot.

Dilbagh Singh, J&K DGP said to ANI, "12 dead, some injured in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra. The incident occurred around 2:45 am, and as per initial reports, an argument broke out which resulted in people pushing each other, followed by stampede."

Officials said 12 people died in the stampede and their bodies have been shifted to a hospital in the Katra base camp for identification and other legal formalities.

According to Gopal Dutt, Block Medical Officer, Community Health Centre, the casualties are from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and 1 from J&K. More details are awaited.

Twenty more people were injured and majority of them are undergoing treatment at Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, the officials said, adding that the condition of four of the injured was stated to be "critical".

The officials said the shrine was open and devotees were paying obeisance till last reports came in.

PM Modi expresses grief, announced ex gratia

PM Narendra Modi expresses grief over the deaths in stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra, Jammu & Kashmir.

The Prime Minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF which would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra, J&K and the injured would be given Rs. 50,000.

Expressing grief over the incident, Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of those who died in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra; Rs 2 lakh for the injured