What Happened During the Mansa Devi Stampede?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Six lives lost due to stampede at Mansa Devi Temple.
- Ongoing rescue efforts by local authorities and medical teams.
- Overcrowding issue highlighted during religious gatherings.
- Eyewitness accounts depict chaos and panic.
- Emphasis on improved crowd management needed.
Haridwar, July 27 (NationPress) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his sorrow regarding the tragic stampede incident at the Mansa Devi Temple on Sunday. He confirmed that the ongoing rescue and relief efforts are being closely monitored.
According to SSP Pramendra Singh Dobal, at least six individuals lost their lives in the stampede that occurred early Sunday morning.
CM Dhami shared, "I have received extremely distressing news about a stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar. The Uttarakhand SDRF, local police, and other rescue teams are currently on-site, actively engaged in relief operations," via a post on X.
He further emphasized, "I remain in constant contact with local authorities to ensure the situation is being closely monitored. My thoughts and prayers are with all the devotees at this time."
The chaos erupted due to an overwhelming number of devotees who flocked to the temple during the ongoing holy month of Shravan.
Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of turmoil as people pushed against each other while waiting in long lines, resulting in panic and a frantic surge.
Swift rescue efforts were initiated, with medical teams and ambulances arriving promptly to transport the injured to nearby hospitals for urgent care.
Authorities have confirmed that relief operations are still underway, and the situation is under close observation.
Additional updates regarding the Haridwar incident are anticipated as authorities continue to assess the circumstances.
Every year, Haridwar experiences a significant influx of pilgrims during Shravan, particularly at revered sites like Har Ki Pauri and the Mansa Devi Temple.
Unfortunately, this year, the crowd surge led to a tragic stampede, reigniting concerns about crowd management at religious events.
This incident contributes to the alarming trend of stampedes in India, where over 50 lives have been lost this year across various religious sites, railway stations, and public gatherings.