Haridwar: A tragic stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar on Sunday morning claimed the lives of six devotees and left many injured.

According to officials, the stampede was sparked by a rumour of a live electric wire on an iron bridge connecting the temple to a nearby area. The bridge was wet from overnight rains, and panic ensued when someone reportedly shouted about an electric shock risk.

The incident occurred during the auspicious Shravan month, when thousands of devotees visit the shrine daily. Authorities clarified that the stampede did not occur during the uphill trek to the temple, which is often congested, but rather near a return bridge.

Officials, including Haridwar District Magistrate Dheeraj Singh Garbyal, stated that there was no actual electrical fault. However, the rush combined with fear caused a sudden surge of movement, leading to trampling injuries. The victims include three women, all reportedly from Uttar Pradesh.

A judicial inquiry has been launched to determine the sequence of events and possible lapses in crowd management. The Uttarakhand government has urged pilgrims to remain calm and follow instructions, as extra security measures are being implemented for the remainder of the Shravan season.