Following the tragic stampede at Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, which left eight dead and 30 injured, a similar stampede-like situation occurred at a Shiva temple in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. Two people are feared dead, and at least 18 are injured. Among them, the condition of five devotees is serious. Rescue operations are underway.
A power cable snapped and fell on a shed, causing an electric current to spread through the premises, per the news agency IANS. The wire was reportedly broken by monkeys. This triggered panic among the devotees, who ran to save their lives, creating a stampede-like situation. The incident occurred at the Awsaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Barabanki during the holy month of Sawan on Monday, when devotees had gathered at the temple for jalabhishek (offering water as a ritual).
DM Shashank Tripathi told reporters that the situation is under control now. “Devotees had gathered here for darshan on the third Monday of Sawan. Some monkeys jumped onto the overhead electric wires, causing them to fall onto the tin shed. As a result, around 19 people received electric shocks; the condition of two is critical. The situation is otherwise under control….”
CM announces Rs 5 lakh ex gratia
CM Yogi Adityanath takes cognisance of the Barabanki stampede caused at the Awsaneshwar Mahadev Temple by a fallen electric wire. He has directed officials to ensure immediate relief measures and proper medical treatment for the injured. UP CM Yogi Adityanath announces an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakhs for the bereaved families.
“Yogi Adityanath has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in an unfortunate accident at the Shri Avsaneshwar Mahadev Temple premises in Barabanki district and extended his condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased,” a statement from the UP CM’s office read.
It further added that he has directed the district administration officials to expedite the proper treatment of the injured and relief operations.
Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh: A stampede occurred during Jalabhishek at the Awsaneshwar Mahadev Temple after an electric current spread through the premises
— IANS (@ians_india) July 28, 2025
DM Shashank Tripathi says, "Devotees had gathered here for darshan on the third Monday of Sawan. Some monkeys jumped onto the… pic.twitter.com/AzLnRnFQKx
Prashant (22) from the Mubarakpura village under the Lonikatra police station area and another 30-year-old devotee succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at the Trivediganj Community Health Centre (CHC), PTI quoted officials as saying.
Mansa Devi Temple stampede
A deadly stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar took the lives of eight people and injured 30. This comes after a rumour of a snapped wire broke among the devotees who were on their way to the shrine through the staircase. Officials said that the stampede happened after a devotee fell on the temple steps.
The deceased, as per an Indian Express report, have been identified as Arush (12) from Bareilly, Shakal (18) from Araria in Bihar, Vikky (18) from Rampur in UP, Vipin Saini (18) from Kashipur in Uttarakhand, and Shanti from Badaun in UP. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.