A deadly stampede at a Hindu temple in northern India’s Uttarakhand state left six people dead and more than a dozen injured on Sunday, local officials confirmed.
The incident occurred at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, a holy city on the banks of the Ganges River that attracts thousands of pilgrims daily.
Witnesses reported that panic broke out after a high-voltage electric wire reportedly fell on a temple pathway, triggering a rush of worshippers attempting to flee.
Vinay Shankar Pandey, a senior official in Uttarakhand, confirmed the deaths and said injured worshippers were receiving treatment at a local hospital.
“Six dead and more than 10 injured are admitted,” city police officer Parmendra Dobhal told reporters.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said rescue operations were ongoing and pledged government support for the victims’ families.
Crowd surges are common at major religious sites in India, where narrow walkways and large gatherings often create bottlenecks. The incident in Haridwar is the latest in a series of similar tragedies this year.
In June, three people were killed during a festival in Odisha. In May, six died during a fire-walking ritual in Goa. And in January, more than 30 worshippers were crushed in a stampede at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
Authorities are investigating the exact cause of Sunday’s tragedy. Emergency personnel were deployed to manage the crowd and transport the injured to nearby hospitals.