Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh : A tragic incident unfolded at the historic Awsaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Barabanki on the third Monday of the holy Shravan month, as two devotees were electrocuted, triggering a panic-driven stampede that left at least 40 others injured.
According to reports, the accident occurred when two devotees took shelter from rain near the temple premises and were fatally electrocuted by a live wire. The sudden deaths sparked chaos among the thousands gathered for the Jalabhishek ritual, leading to a stampede-like situation.
Eyewitnesses say a monkey had fallen onto an electric wire, causing it to snap and fall into the crowded temple courtyard. As panic set in, people screamed and scattered in all directions, resulting in injuries—many among them women and children.
Authorities responded swiftly, deploying police forces to the site. All injured individuals were immediately rushed to nearby health centers via ambulances. Several critically injured persons have been shifted to the district hospital for advanced treatment.
District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, along with senior administrative officials, reached the site to assess the situation and oversee rescue and relief efforts. Officials confirmed that security personnel were already present at the temple due to the expected crowd, but the sudden electrical mishap and resulting stampede caught everyone off guard.
An investigation has been launched, and the administration has assured necessary action to ensure such a tragedy does not repeat.
