Haridwar Temple Tragedy: Panic Over False Electric Shock Rumor Claims 6 Lives

On Sunday morning, an ordinary day of devotion turned into a scene of horror at Haridwar’s renowned Mansa Devi Temple, one of the most visited shrines in northern India. Around noon, a sudden shout about electric current leakage on the temple path caused widespread panic among devotees.

Without verification or confirmation, people began running in all directions. This confusion and fear snowballed into a stampede, especially at the narrow passage leading up to the temple.

Where the Incident Took Place

The incident occurred on the main trek route leading to Mansa Devi Temple, located atop the Bilwa Parvat in Haridwar. Pilgrims either take the ropeway or walk the sloped path, especially on weekends and during religious festivals.

The exact point of the stampede was reportedly near a bottleneck zone where crowd flow is often slow and unregulated.

Eyewitness Accounts

According to eyewitnesses, the shout came from someone in the middle of the crowd, prompting immediate chaos. “People began screaming and pushing, some tripped on the steps and were crushed,” said one devotee.

Others reported children getting separated from their families, slippers and bags strewn across the ground, and no immediate help visible in the first few minutes.

Death Toll and Injuries

As per the latest reports, six people lost their lives, and more than a dozen were injured, some critically. The deceased include both men and women from various parts of India.

Injured devotees were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals including Haridwar District Hospital and Jwalapur Civil Hospital.

What Officials Are Saying

District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police reached the scene quickly. In a press briefing, they confirmed there was no electric fault or current leak.

“This was a case of misinformation-induced panic. We’re investigating how and by whom the false alert was triggered,” a police spokesperson said.

Crowd Management in Pilgrimage Spots

The tragedy raises serious questions about crowd control, emergency communication, and surveillance at India’s key pilgrimage sites. Mansa Devi Temple alone draws tens of thousands every week.

Experts have urged for real-time monitoring, better fencing, emergency alert systems, and trained crowd management teams.

Social Media Reactions

As soon as the news broke, the incident trended on social media with hashtags like #HaridwarTragedy, #MansaDeviStampede, and #TempleSafety.

While many expressed condolences, others criticized local administration for lack of preparedness.

Political and Religious Leaders React

Uttarakhand Chief Minister expressed deep sorrow over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh to the families of the deceased. Religious leaders have called for peace and appealed to devotees not to panic over unverified information.

What Happens Next?

Authorities have ordered a high-level inquiry. Meanwhile, access to the temple route was restricted for several hours. Police are scanning CCTV footage to identify the person(s) who triggered the panic.

The temple trust is also reviewing emergency procedures to prevent such future mishaps.