A sudden stampede triggered by a rumour of an electrical hazard near the revered Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar claimed six lives and left dozens injured on July 27 morning, turning a sacred pilgrimage into a scene of tragedy.
The incident unfolded around 9 a.m. during peak Sawan pilgrimage hours, when a surge of devotees was climbing the steep staircase to the hilltop shrine atop Bilwa Parvat.
Eyewitnesses said panic gripped the crowd after someone shouted about a live wire on the stairs, prompting a frantic scramble that led to a deadly crush.
“There were reports of an electric wire posing a threat, which sparked panic among those climbing towards the temple.
That led to the stampede,” said Nilesh Anand Bharne, IG Law and Order, Uttarakhand. He added that an investigation is underway to confirm the exact cause and assess lapses in crowd control.
Emergency teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and medical responders rushed to the scene and began rescue operations. Authorities said the situation was brought under control within hours.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. “The incident is extremely painful. SDRF and police teams are on site.
I am personally monitoring the rescue efforts and praying for everyone’s safety,” he said in a statement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the tragedy. “The stampede at Haridwar’s Mansa Devi temple is deeply saddening.
My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the swift recovery of the injured,” read a message from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Officials confirmed that the deceased included both men and women, but their identities have not been released as families are being notified. Several of the injured were taken to nearby hospitals, where some remain in critical condition.
The temple, a major pilgrimage site during the holy Sawan month, witnesses tens of thousands of visitors daily.
Though the shrine can also be accessed via ropeway, large crowds often prefer the long stair route — which becomes a bottleneck during peak hours.
Authorities have now urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified rumours in high-density gatherings and said crowd control protocols are being reviewed.
Additional safety audits and route management measures are expected to be enforced in the coming days.
