Dehradun : A tragic stampede at the revered Manasa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, has claimed the lives of six devotees, leaving over 15 others injured. The unfortunate incident occurred on Saturday morning amidst a massive crowd that had gathered for darshan.

According to initial reports, the stampede took place on the staircase leading to the temple premises. Eyewitnesses suggest that a sudden panic erupted following a suspected electric shock on the stairs, leading to chaos and a rush that resulted in the deadly stampede.

Emergency response teams, including the Uttarakhand State Disaster Response Force (UKSDRF), local police, and administrative officials, swiftly reached the scene and began rescue operations. The injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals for immediate treatment.

Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed the incident and stated that a magisterial inquiry has been ordered to investigate the exact cause of the tragedy.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the incident. Taking to social media, he wrote:

“Heard the very sad news of the stampede at the Manasa Devi Temple. Rescue operations are underway. We are in constant touch with the local administration and closely monitoring the situation. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and strength to the families of the deceased.”

The state government has announced ex-gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.

President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her condolences, expressing grief over the loss of lives in the unfortunate incident.

One of the injured devotees from Bihar recalled the horror:

“There was a sudden rush. People started running, and I fell down. My hand got fractured in the chaos.”

The temple, a popular pilgrimage site, witnesses heavy footfall, especially during festivals and weekends. Authorities have urged devotees to maintain calm and cooperate with the ongoing investigation.