At least six people lost their lives and dozens were injured in a stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on July 27, 2025. The tragic incident occurred on the staircase leading to the hilltop shrine, which was packed with devotees due to the ongoing Hindu holy month of Sawan—a period that draws massive pilgrimages each year.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police Pramendra Singh Dobal, the chaos began after panic spread through the crowd following a rumour that an electric wire had snapped and current was running through the staircase. Fearing electrocution, worshippers rushed to escape, triggering a stampede that led to people falling and being trampled.
However, officials from the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited later confirmed that there was no sign of any electrical fault or leakage in the temple premises.
Among the deceased were Aarush (12), Vivek (18), Wakeel, and Shanti from Uttar Pradesh; Vipin Saini (18) from Uttarakhand; and Shakal Dev (18) from Bihar. At least 28 to 35 others were injured in the incident, with five reported to be in critical condition. The injured were rushed to GD Hospital and other advanced medical facilities for treatment.
Rescue and relief efforts were swiftly carried out by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local authorities.
Leaders across the country expressed grief over the tragedy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended their condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
The state government has announced ex-gratia compensation of INR 2 lakh for the families of those who died and INR 50,000 for the injured.
A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the stampede. Authorities have also begun reviewing existing crowd control and safety protocols at pilgrimage sites to prevent such incidents in the future.