Two killed in panic at temple in India, police say
Police officials standing guard near the site of a stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar, on July 27.
- At least two people were killed when a crowd panicked after an electric wire snapped outside a temple in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, the authorities said.
District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi said a group of monkeys jumped onto an electric wire outside the Ausaneshwar Mahadev Temple in the Barabanki region, causing it to snap and fall on a shed, triggering panic.
At least 19 people were electrocuted and injured, he said.
A senior police officer, who did not want to be named, told Reuters: 'Two people were killed today in a stampede-like situation (at the temple) early in the morning.'
The incident occurred at around 2am, the area's chief medical officer said, when some people at the temple 'came in contact' with the electric wire, causing the panic.
Accidents involving large crowds are not uncommon at religious gatherings in India, and are often blamed on poor crowd management.
At least 30 people were killed in a pre-dawn crowd crush at the Maha Kumbh (Great Pitcher) festival in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj in January, as tens of millions gathered to take a dip in sacred river waters on its most auspicious day.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole backfilled; road to be repaved after LTA tests
Singapore MRT platform screen doors at 15 underground stations to undergo renewal
Singapore 'Medium risk' of severe haze as higher agricultural prices drive deforestation: S'pore researchers
Singapore Authorities say access to Changi intertidal areas unaffected by reclamation, in response to petition
Singapore Police statements by doctor in fake vaccine case involving Iris Koh allowed in court: Judge
Singapore Jail for former pre-school teacher who tripped toddler repeatedly, causing child to bleed from nose
Singapore No change to SIA flights between S'pore and Cambodia, S'pore and Thailand, amid border dispute
Singapore Not feasible for S'pore to avoid net‑zero; all options to cut energy emissions on table: Tan See Leng
Six people were also killed in a stampede in neighbouring Uttarakhand state's Haridwar on July 27, where a large crowd gathered to offer prayers at the Mansa Devi temple. REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
6 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Two Chinese nationals in California accused of illegally shipping Nvidia AI chips to China
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Nvidia H100s are advanced chips that can be used to train large language models, and develop self-driving cars. LOS ANGELES, California - Two Chinese nationals were arrested in California and charged with illegally shipping tens of millions of dollars' worth of AI chips to China, including Nvidia H100s, the US Justice Department said on Aug 5. Chuan Geng, 28, of Pasadena, and Shiwei Yang, 28, of El Monte, exported the advanced Nvidia chips and other technology to China from October 2022 through July 2025 without obtaining the required licenses from the US Commerce Department, a criminal complaint says. According to the complaint, Geng and Yang's El Monte-based company, ALX Solutions Inc, was founded in 2022, shortly after the US imposed sweeping export controls on technology to China and began to require licenses for the chips. A spokesperson for Nvidia declined comment. Over 20 shipments from ALX solutions went to shipping and freight forwarding companies in Singapore and Malaysia, which are often used as transshipment points for illegal goods to China. ALX received a US$1 million (S$1.3 million) payment from a China-based company in January 2024 and other payments from companies in Hong Kong and China, not the freight forwarding companies. Nvidia H100s are advanced chips that can be used to train large language models and for other applications, such as developing self-driving cars and medical diagnosis systems. Records show that from at least August 2023 to July 2024, ALX Solutions bought over 200 Nvidia H100 chips from San Jose, California-based server maker Super Micro Computer, declaring that the end users were in Singapore and Japan. Super Micro did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In addition to Nvidia's H100s, the pair are accused of illegally shipping Nvidia video graphics cards known as PNY GE Force RTX 4090, which also require a license for export to China. Geng and Yang appeared in US District Court in Los Angeles late Aug 4, according to the Justice Department. Geng, a permanent resident, was released on US$250,000 bond. Yang, who overstayed her visa, has a detention hearing on Aug 12. REUTERS
Straits Times
36 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Ireland calls for hostages' release after gunmen storm Haiti orphanage
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox PORT-AU-PRINCE - Ireland's Foreign Ministry called on Tuesday on Haitian authorities to ensure "everything is done" to secure the release of a group of people, including an Irish missionary and a 3-year-old child, taken by gunmen who stormed a local orphanage. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris spoke with his Haitian counterpart overnight, the government said in a statement, during which they agreed to stay in touch on their work to ensure the group is released, including missionary Gena Heraty. "It is imperative that she is released immediately," Harris said separately on social media. The attacks took place over the weekend when gunmen stormed the orphanage in Kenscoff, a mountainous community on the outskirts of the capital Port-au-Prince that has been under deadly attacks by armed gangs since the start of this year. Father Richard Frechette, who works with Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs, the international charity that runs the orphanage, told Reuters a total of eight people had been kidnapped including the 3-year-old boy, six staff members and Heraty, who heads special needs programs at the orphanage. "We have not yet been able to reach a ransom agreement to free them," he said. "We hope for their fast and safe return," the charity added on social media. "Our commitment to the Haitian people remains as strong as ever." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore More train rides taken in first half-year, but overall public transport use stays below 2019 levels Singapore BlueSG needs time to develop software, refresh fleet, say ex-insiders after winding-down news Asia Cambodia-Thailand border clash a setback for Asean: Vivian Balakrishnan Singapore 'She had a whole life ahead of her': Boyfriend mourns Yishun fatal crash victim Singapore Doctor hounded ex-girlfriend, threatened to share her intimate photos, abducted her off street Asia Trump's transactional foreign policy fuels 'US scepticism' in Taiwan Business Women on corporate boards give firms a competitive advantage, says Australian Governor-General Singapore CEO of sports car distributor accused of offences including multiple counts of false trading Armed gangs have in recent years targeted a number of religious, charitable and medical aid groups, including hospitals, NGOs, nuns and priests from congregations based in and around the capital, as well as foreign missionaries. A recent report by the U.N. office in Haiti (BINUH) found the situation remained "very volatile" in Kenscoff while gangs intensified and expanded their attacks in central Haiti and the agricultural Artibonite region. BINUH considers Kenscoff of "major strategic importance" as it overlooks the suburb of Petion-Ville, one of the capital's last hold-outs and the site of multiple embassies, banking institutions and hotels serving as diplomatic meeting places. Over 3,100 people were killed and 336 kidnapped for ransom in the first half of this year in Haiti, according to BINUH estimates, as the number of residents displaced by the extended conflict with the powerful gangs - largely grouped behind a coalition called Viv Ansanm - nearly doubled to 1.3 million. Haitian authorities have repeatedly called for more resources to fight the gangs. A partially deployed and deeply under-equipped U.N.-backed mission kicked off over a year ago but has had little effect in slowing gangs' advances. REUTERS
Straits Times
36 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Al Hilal face ban from 2026-27 Saudi Super Cup
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Saudi Super Cup - Final - Al Hilal v Al Ittihad - Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - April 11, 2024 Al Hilal's Salem Al-Dawsari lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Saudi Super Cup final REUTERS/Rula Rouhana/File Photo Holders Al Hilal will be banned from the 2026-27 Saudi Super Cup if they qualify after withdrawing from this season's four-team competition, the Saudi Arabia Football Federation's (SAFF) Disciplinary and Ethics Committee said on Tuesday. The decision came after Al Hilal pulled out of the Super Cup, scheduled to be played from August 19-23 in Hong Kong, citing player fatigue following their Club World Cup campaign. They lost 2-1 to Fluminense in the quarter-finals on July 4. "Al Hilal refused to participate in the Saudi Super Cup for the 2025-2026 season after the official schedule for the competition was issued," the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee said in a statement. "As a result, the committee ruled that Al Hilal had violated Article (59-3) of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations and fined the club 500,000 Saudi Riyals ($133,000) to be paid to the SAFF," the statement added. In addition to the fine, the club was banned from participating in the 2026-27 Super Cup and stripped of any financial awards allocated for this season's competition. The committee said the decision is subject to appeal. Al Hilal have been asked for comment. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore More train rides taken in first half-year, but overall public transport use stays below 2019 levels Singapore BlueSG needs time to develop software, refresh fleet, say ex-insiders after winding-down news Asia Cambodia-Thailand border clash a setback for Asean: Vivian Balakrishnan Singapore 'She had a whole life ahead of her': Boyfriend mourns Yishun fatal crash victim Singapore Doctor hounded ex-girlfriend, threatened to share her intimate photos, abducted her off street Asia Trump's transactional foreign policy fuels 'US scepticism' in Taiwan Business Women on corporate boards give firms a competitive advantage, says Australian Governor-General Singapore CEO of sports car distributor accused of offences including multiple counts of false trading They won the Super Cup by beating Al Nassr last season for a record-extending fifth title. The Saudi Super Cup is contested by the winners and runners-up of the King's Cup and Saudi Pro League. Al Hilal finished second in the 2024-25 Pro League behind Al-Ittihad. Al Hilal, who were due to face King's Cup runners-up Al Qadsiah in the Super Cup semi-finals on August 20, have been replaced by AFC Champions League winners Al Ahli. Since Al-Ittihad won the Pro League and King's Cup, the extra Super Cup spot was awarded to Al Nassr - the third-placed team in the league - who they face in the semis on August 19. REUTERS
