At least 2 dead, several injured in stampede at UP temple after electric current spread triggers panic

Officials said that monkeys damaged an electric wire, which caused current to flow through three tin sheds in the temple complex. The current spread from the live wire triggered panic, resulting in the stampede in the temple premises, Barabanki District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi was quoted as saying.

Two devotees including 22-year-old Prashant, from the Mubarakpura village, succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at the Trivediganj Community Health Centre (CHC), officials said.

A total of 10 injured persons were taken to Trivediganj CHC, of whom five are said to be in critical condition.

Of the 26 others being treated at the Haidergarh CHC, one has been referred for advanced care due to serious injuries.

Devotees had gathered at the temple early Monday for the ritual, in the holy month of Shravan, which involves offering water to the deity.

District and police officials reached the spot to manage the chaos at the temple and surrounding areas after which devotees resumed their worship.

An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the incident.

This comes a day after a stampede at Haridwar’s Mansa Devi temple claimed the lives of eight people and injured about 28 others. A rumoured electricity spark is suspected to have caused the incident as it triggered panic among the hundreds of devotees gathered on Sunday morning, according to the police.