Haridwar: At least six people lost their lives and 29 were injured in a stampede at the Mansa Devi temple, located in the Haridwar district of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, officials reported.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the incident occurred when a rumor spread about an electric shock affecting a devotee on the stairs, approximately 100 meters down the temple route. This rumor sparked panic among the gathered devotees, triggering the stampede. Senior police official Pramendra Singh Dobal confirmed that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Authorities promptly deployed police and the State Disaster Response Force to the temple to manage relief and rescue operations. Haridwar, a prominent pilgrimage destination for Hindu devotees, witnessed a large gathering at the temple prior to the unfortunate event.

Television footage captured scenes of injured devotees being transported to hospitals in ambulances, with several others receiving medical treatment on-site. Police have expressed concerns that the death toll may rise as the situation develops.