As six people reportedly died with many others feared injured in a stampede after a huge crowd gathered at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on Sunday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met the injured and announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of deceased people and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
CM Dhami said that a magisterial probe has been ordered. The state government has also issued a toll-free helpline number.
A rescue and relief operation has been launched and the injured are being taken to hospitals.
He said that all concerned officials are working to ensure that all the injured get proper treatment.
"Today, around 9 am, someone spread a rumour of electrocution, and this incident happened. We have ordered a magisterial probe. All concerned officials are working to ensure that all the injured get proper treatment. We have also issued a toll-free number,” he said.
“Financial help has also been announced. I pray for the peace of the departed souls, and our condolences go out to the bereaved families. The families of those who lost their lives will get an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh and the injured will get Rs 50,000,” the CM said.
A stampede broke out at Haridwar's hilltop Mansa Devi temple where hundreds of devotees had gathered on Sunday, killing at least six people and leaving many injured, police said.
Rumours 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.
About 35 people were rushed to the hospital, and six of them died, he said.
The incident took place around 9 am.
Due to the ongoing 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 up using them for support.
Videos showed worried family members waiting outside hospitals for news of their loved ones.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the stampede.
"Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected," he said in a post on X.
The State Disaster Response Force and the fire brigade are at the spot.
State Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said five seriously injured people have been referred to AIIMS Rishikesh for advanced medical care.
He said the state government has issued helpline numbers, and concerned individuals can contact the Haridwar District Emergency Operations Centre at 01334-223999, 9068197350, or 9528250926.
Additionally, the State Emergency Operations Centre in Dehradun can be reached at 0135-2710334, 2710335, 8218867005, and 9058441404, he said.
Earlier, in a post on Facebook, Dhami said he was saddened by the incident and asserted that the situation was being monitored.
"Very sad news has been received about a stampede on the way to the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar. SDRF, local police and other rescue teams have reached the spot and are engaged in relief and rescue operations," Dhami said in a post on Facebook.
"I am constantly in touch with the local administration in this regard, and the situation is being constantly monitored. I pray to Mata Rani for the safety of all the devotees," he added.
The temple, dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi, is one of the five sacred sites or Panch Tirthas of Haridwar.
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