India: At least 12 dead in New Year temple stampede

[MenInG]

At least 12 people were killed and several others injured after a stampede at a religious shrine in India.

Pilgrims were visiting the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Indian-administered Kashmir on Saturday when the tragedy unfolded.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "saddened" by the loss of life.

Tens of thousands of people usually visit the shrine every day, and it is thought there was a peak in visitors because of the holiday season.

According to a senior police officer, 14 people were injured in the stampede, with all of them taken to hospital.

One senior government official told AFP news agency that the death toll could rise as the shrine was incredibly busy with people trying to visit for the New Year.

The shrine, located near the town of Katra, is among India's most revered pilgrimage sites. Visitor numbers have been capped to around 25,000 because of the pandemic.

It is not yet clear caused the stampede in the early hours of the morning, but some eyewitnesses claimed crowds at the site were not being managed properly.

An investigation into the incident has been launched.

In a tweet, Mr Modi said: "Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. May the injured recover soon."

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-59845278?piano-footer

 

[MenInG]

A list of some such major tragedies in India after 2000.

Hundreds of people have died in stampedes at temples and other Hindu religious gatherings over the years in India.

Here is a list of some of such major tragedies that have taken place in the country after 2000:

* August 27, 2003: 39 people were killed and around 140 injured in a stampede during the holy bath at the Kumbh Mela in Maharashtra's Nashik district

* January 25, 2005: More than 340 devotees were trampled to death and hundreds injured during an annual pilgrimage at Mandhardevi temple in Maharashtra's Satara district. The accident occurred when some people fell down on the steps made slippery by devotees breaking coconuts.


* August 3, 2008: 162 dead, 47 injured in stampede triggered by rumours of rockslides at Naina Devi temple in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh


* September 30, 2008: Nearly 250 devotees killed and over 60 injured in stampede triggered by rumours of bomb going off at Chamunda Devi temple in Rajasthan's Jodhpur city

Also read: 12 dead, 20 injured in stampede at Vaishno Devi shrine in J&K

* March 4, 2010: About 63 people were killed in a stampede at Ram Janki Temple of Kripalu Maharaj in Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh district as people gathered to collect free clothes and food from the self-styled godman.

* November 8, 2011: At least 20 people were killed in stampede in Haridwar at Har-ki-Pauri ghat on banks of the Ganga river

* November 19, 2012: Around 20 people were killed and many others injured as a makeshift bridge caved in, triggering a stampede during Chhath Puja at Adalat Ghat on the bank of river Ganga in Patna

* October 13, 2013: 115 people were killed and over 100 injured in a stampede during Navratri festivities near Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh's Datia district. The stampede was triggered by rumours that a river bridge the devotees were crossing was about to collapse.

* October 3, 2014: Thirty-two people were killed and 26 others injured in a stampede at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, shortly after the Dussehra celebrations ended.

* July 14, 2015: Twenty-seven pilgrims died and 20 others were injured in a stampede at a major bathing spot on the banks of the Godavari river where a huge crowd of devotees had gathered on the opening day of 'Pushkaram' festival in Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh.

* January 1, 2022: At least 12 people died and over a dozen were injured in a stampede at the famous Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir triggered by a heavy rush of devotees.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/natio...gious-gatherings-in-india/article38086611.ece

 

[MenInG]

At least 12 people died and 13 were injured in a stampede at a religious shrine in India during Saturday's early hours as pilgrims gathered to offer new-year prayers, officials said.

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The disaster happened at the Mata Vaishno Devi in Indian-administered Kashmir, one of the most revered Hindu shrines in northern India.

Before the pandemic, about 100,000 devotees would visit the site every day, but authorities have capped the daily number at 25,000.

"At least 12 people lost their lives and 13 are injured," one senior government official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"The toll could be higher as the route to the hilltop shrine was packed with devotees trying to do the customary new-year visit and prayers," he said.

Another disaster-management official confirmed the death toll, saying the stampede took place at about 2:45 am (2115 GMT).

"A high-level inquiry has been ordered by the government into the stampede incident at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine," he said.

"Extremely saddened by the loss of lives," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter, adding that he was in touch with local officials.

"Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon," Modi said.

Other senior officials including the Indian president offered their condolences, and the home minister called the news "heart-wrenching".

Government minister Jitendra Singh said he was on his way to the site to take stock of the situation.

Reports cited witnesses as saying that the daily limit of 25,000 was exceeded and that large groups entered without permission slips.

Other reports suggested an argument had broken out between devotees.

Rescue operations started immediately and the injured -- some of whom were reported to be in a serious condition -- were taken to hospital.

Video footage on social media showed small ambulances with flashing lights rushing to hospitals while it was still dark.

The shrine, open 24 hours a day, is located in the Katra hills some 30 kilometres from the city of Jammu.

(AFP)

 

[Bewal Express]

Terrible start to the new year for the families concerned. For all the weaknesses the Saudi govt has done a very good job in preventing such tragedies in recent time after some horrific incidents in the past. I thought the Hajj was very organised.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Six killed, dozens injured in India temple stampede

At least six people were killed and 55 were injured in a stampede at an Indian temple in the western coastal state of Goa where hundreds of devout Hindus had assembled, police official said on Saturday.

The stampede occurred on Friday night during the annual Shri Lairai Zatra festival in Shirgao village, which is popular for its events including fire-walking.

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"Devotees were witnessing a religious ceremony and the frenzy caused during the rituals triggered a stampede," said V.S. Chadonkar, a police officer in Goa's state capital Panjim.

"Six people lost their lives and at least eight were critically injured," he said.

Stampedes during large Hindu religious gatherings are routinely reported in India, as huge crowds gather in tight spaces often ignoring safety protocol.

https://www.reuters.com/world/india/six-killed-dozens-injured-india-temple-stampede-2025-05-03/

 

[daytrader]

Six killed, dozens injured in India temple stampede

At least six people were killed and 55 were injured in a stampede at an Indian temple in the western coastal state of Goa where hundreds of devout Hindus had assembled, police official said on Saturday.

The stampede occurred on Friday night during the annual Shri Lairai Zatra festival in Shirgao village, which is popular for its events including fire-walking.

The Reuters Tariff Watch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global trade and tariff news. Sign up here.

"Devotees were witnessing a religious ceremony and the frenzy caused during the rituals triggered a stampede," said V.S. Chadonkar, a police officer in Goa's state capital Panjim.

"Six people lost their lives and at least eight were critically injured," he said.

Stampedes during large Hindu religious gatherings are routinely reported in India, as huge crowds gather in tight spaces often ignoring safety protocol.

https://www.reuters.com/world/india/six-killed-dozens-injured-india-temple-stampede-2025-05-03/

Condolences for the deceased.

I wouldn't be surprised though if a Modi bakht yelled 'fire' to cause the stampede. Modi's desperate for the war hysteria to die down and any other news is good news for him. Such sad times where a human life has no value.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

My condolences for the deceased. Every day is just bad news from India. I hope the public stays resilient and positive.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Three killed, 6 injured in stampede at Indian chariot festival

Three people were killed and six injured in a stampede during a festival in eastern India on Sunday, officials said.

"Three people have died and six sustained injuries; none of them are serious and all are out of danger," Y.B. Khurania, director general of police in the state of Odisha, told Reuters.

The incident occurred at dawn as thousands of Hindu devotees gathered at an annual chariot festival in Puri, said a senior administrative officer told Reuters. He asked not to be identified as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

Stampedes occur routinely during large Hindu gatherings in the world's most-populous country, as huge crowds gather in tight spaces, often ignoring safety protocols.

In January, at least 39 people were killed in a pre-dawn stampede during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, northern India.

https://www.reuters.com/world/india/three-killed-6-injured-stampede-indian-chariot-festival-2025-06-29/