Mansa Devi Temple Stampede: ‘Rumour of Electric Shock’ Triggers Deadly Panic in Haridwar
HARIDWAR, Uttarakhand, India – July 27, 2025: A stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar on Sunday, July 27, 2025, was fatal for at least eight pilgrims, while several dozens were left injured. Initial investigations strongly indicate that the tragedy had been the result of a rumor about an electric shock on the crowded pathway. The incident unfolded around 8:30 AM on the local clock amidst a horde of devotees during this auspicious month of Shravan.
The Fateful Morning: What’s What?
An incident happened on the grand stairway leading to Mansa Devi temple, a hallowed Shakti Peeth who sits atop Bilwa Parvat Hill. Haridwar’s Senior Superintendent of Police or SSP, Pramendra Singh Dobal, conversely, states that “of course, prima facie, it seems triggered by a rumor about a power line snapping,” that caused panic among thousands of pilgrims.
Witnesses attested that one shout about an “electric current on the pathway” or a “snapped electric wire” somehow quickly spread through the dense crowd, and everybody broke into a frantic scramble for safety. Initial reports indicate not an actual power line failure; Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited, UPCL, undertook an inspection clearing the air that there was “no leakage of an electric current in any of their assets,” stressing how low-tension lines are insulated. Authorities say sheer crowd pressure and panic set off by the false alarm led to people falling and trampling over each other.
Toll and Immediate Reaction
On Sunday evening, eight deaths had been confirmed, with fluctuating numbers of the injured reported between 35 and 55. One person has reportedly sustained burn injuries, likely from electrocution or intense heat caused by friction in the crush, while suffocation and trauma from being trampled account for the majority of deaths and injuries.
The emergency services, namely the State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF) and the local police, responded to such a scenario very quickly. Victims have been rushed to the closest hospitals, with a few referred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for critical care. Footage from the scene depicts what appear to have been chaotic scenes with devotees being carried away and receiving immediate medical attention.
Official Statements and Investigations
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep distress over the incident and announced a magisterial inquiry to ascertain the exact cause and fix responsibility. He assured that strict action would be taken against those found guilty, including individuals responsible for spreading the rumor. The Chief Minister also announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences and claimed he was “deeply saddened by the loss of lives” while helping those “localized” affected. The District Magistrate, Mayur Dixit, confirmed that investigations are underway, including review of camera footage, to identify the origin of the rumor. Crowd Control Concerns Amid Peak Season.
This tragedy brings to the fore, once again, the perennial problems of crowd management at India’s popular religious sites during high pilgrimage seasons like Shravan. A ropeway and stairs access the Mansa Devi temple, visited by millions yearly. The dye and eyewitnesses football touched the sheer density in crowd numbers, with the fear that there is often inadequate handling of the crowd given prior warnings about people in large numbers. This incident adds to a series of stampedes that have taken place at different religious gatherings and public events in India in 2025.
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