At least two people lost their lives, while several others were reportedly injured in a stampede at a temple in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki on the intervening night of July 27 and 23. The stampede took place as a panic was caused among devotees over an electric shock in the temple premises, reported NDTV.
The tragic incident took place at the Awsaneshwar Mahadev temple during a "jalabhishek" ritual. According to the report, a large number of devotees were present at the temple for the ritual. Suddenly, reports of an electric shock spread, which led to the stampede.
As per District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi, a monkey jumped on the electric wire, due to which it broke and fell on a shed of the temple premises, causing an electric shock. Twenty-nine people were reportedly injured in the incident.
"Devotees were offering prayers when a monkey jumped onto an electric wire, causing it to fall on a shed. This led to an electric current passing through the structure. Medical treatment of the injured is underway. Around 19 people were injured, with two in serious condition," District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi told reported.
The injured were shifted to nearby community health centres. Meanwhile, the devotees who suffered serious injuries were reportedly rushed to the district hospital.
"All except one patient brought to the Haidergarh Community Health Centre have been discharged," said Awadhesh Kumar Yadav, Chief Medical Officer, Barabanki, as reported by the media house.
"Ten people were brought to Trivediganj Community Health Centre, of which two were declared brought dead. The remaining are stable and being treated," he added.
A heavy police force was rushed to the temple after the news of the stampede surfaced.
Notably, it is considered auspicious to perform "jalabhishek" to Lord Shiva, especially on Mondays.
It is the second incident of stampede at a temple within 24 hours. On Sunday, a stampede occurred at the popular Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar, claiming six lives. Meanwhile, several others were alos injured in the incident.
