Haridwar (Uttarakhand) [India], July 27 : A huge crowd possibly triggered the stampede at the Mansa Devi temple on Sunday in Uttarakhand's Haridwar, leading to the deaths of at least six people, according to eyewitnesses.
A devotee from Bihar who suffered a fracture in his hand in the rush said, "Suddenly, a huge crowd gathered there and a stampede took place. During this, all the people fell and got hurt."
Ten people who were injured in the incident have been referred to AIIMS Rishikesh, where they are undergoing treatment.
Uttarakhand CM has taken cognisance of the matter and ordered a magisterial inquiry in the incident.
The State Secretary of Disaster Management, Vinod Kumar Suman, informed that helpline numbers have been issued for people to get details of the deceased or injured in the mishap.
The list of helpline numbers includes District Emergency Operation Center, Haridwar: 01334-223999, 9068197350 and 9528250926. State Emergency Operation Center, Dehradun: 0135-2710334, 2710335, 8218867005, and 9058441404.
District Magistrate Mayur Dixit stated that a rumour of the snapping of an electric wire seemed to have triggered panic resulting in the stampede.
The district magistrate told ANI, "We found through photos and videos that someone spread a rumour of an overhead electric wire snapping and falling. After looking at the bodies of the dead and those who were injured, there was nothing to indicate anything like that happened... We will investigate through camera footage and other means to find who spread the rumour that caused the stampede. A magisterial inquiry will be set up"
The official also confirmed that six people had died in the mishap.
Furthermore, SSP Pramendra Singh Dobal said that around 35 people were rushed to the hospital.
"At 9 o'clock, through police control, information was received about some people being injured in the stampede near the Mansa Devi main road,. Poilice present there immediately brought all the people to the hospital with the help of Nearly 35 people were brought here to the GD hospital, of whom the deaths of six people have been confirmed. The remaining injured are being injured here or have been sent to the health centre."
SSP Dobal said, "Prima facie, the stampede was triggered by a rumour that an electric power line had snapped and fallen on the the stairs 100 metres down the temple route."
An investigation is underway, said the police official.