Tragedy Strikes Haridwar: The Mansa Devi Temple Stampede Claims Six Lives
A stampede broke out at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on the morning of July 27, 2025. The incident meant the death of six persons, with many others injured. It took place around 9 am on the steps leading to the temple, a much-frequented Hindu pilgrimage atop Bilwa Parvat in the Shivalik Hills. According to Haridwar district magistrate, who cited eyewitnesses, panic broke out after someone allegedly yelled about a live wire, causing havoc among pilgrims.
As soon as we learned about the stampede, we sent out three teams to the scene. Arpan Yaduvansi, commandant of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), stated that they are presently involved in rescue and relief efforts.
According to preliminary reports, six confirmed deaths and ten to fifteen injuries have been reported. Higher medical facilities have been referred to those in critical condition, according to Haridwar district magistrate Mayur Dixit.
Cause of the Stampede
Recent reports indicate that panic arose when a rumor about a live electric wire on the pathway was circulated amongst the devotees. According to eyewitnesses, someone shouted about a live wire, creating a panic situation within the crowd. The sudden outburst of panic developed into a stampede as people started to flee from the perceived threat. The authorities are investigating the incident to establish the factual circumstances behind the incident and verify the claims made by witnesses.
Rescue and Relief Operations
As soon as the information about the stampede was received, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police and other emergency services were dispatched to the site. They participated in relief and rescue operations while caring for the injured and evacuating other devotees to safety. The victims were sent to the nearest hospitals for treatment.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed sorrow over the unfortunate incident. He assured that monitoring of the situation was being done and that all possible assistance would be given to the victims. The state government also announced a compensation program for the families of both the deceased and injured.
The Mansa Devi Temple stampede is a grim reminder of the challenges faced in crowd management at places of worship. The tragedy demonstrates how stronger safety arrangements and crowd-control techniques must be adopted in the future. The authorities are fully committed to the investigation of this incident and will make necessary changes to ensure the safety of devotees.
