A stampede broke out at Haridwar’s hilltop Mansa Devi temple where hundreds of devotees had gathered , killing at least six people and leaving many injured, the police said
According to PTI, 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 Videos.
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.
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.
