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

Indian Express

3 days ago

At least two people were killed and about 32 injured in a stampede at a temple in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki after a live electric wire, broken by monkeys, fell onto a tin shed early on Monday, officials were quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
During the 'jalabhishek' ritual at the Avsaaneshwar temple in the Haidergarh area, monkeys had damaged an electric wire, which caused current to flow through three tin sheds in the temple complex. The electric current triggered panic, resulting in a stampede in the temple premises, Barabanki District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi said.
The incident occurred during the holy month of Shravan on Monday when devotees had gathered at the temple for the ritual which involves offering water to the deity.
Two devotees including Prashant (22) 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 brought to Trivediganj CHC, of whom five were referred to higher medical centres due to their critical condition.
Meanwhile, 26 injured devotees are being treated at the Haidergarh CHC, and one of them has been referred for advanced care due to serious injuries.
Following the incident, district and police officials reached the spot to manages the chaos at the temple and surrounding areas. Devotees later resumed their worship at the temple.
An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the incident.