Six people have died while several others suffered injuries in a stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in the holy city of Haridwar in Uttarakhand. The stampede occurred on the staircases on the temple road leading to the main temple.
Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed the deaths to news agency ANI. A huge crowd had gathered at the Mansa Devi temple when the stampede occurred, he said, adding that he is on his way to the temple.
The tragedy unfolded during the auspicious Hindu month of Sawan, which witnesses a rush of devotees at all pilgrimage points in the city. Haridwar is also a major destination for Shiv devotee Kanwariyas who visit the city to collect water from the Ganga during this time.
Visuals showed injured devotees being taken to the hospital in ambulances and several others undergoing treatment.
“It is extremely distressing to receive news of a stampede on the route to the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar. @uksdrf, local police, and other rescue teams have reached the site and are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I am in constant contact with the local administration regarding this matter, and the situation is being closely monitored. I pray to Mother Goddess for the safety and well-being of all devotees,” said Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami.