Stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan  |  Photo Credit: ANI
Key Highlights
- A stampede occurred at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan on Saturday morning
- Officials said that a heavy rush of devotees arrived at the Vaishno Devi temple to pay their respects to mark the beginning of the New Year, causing the stampede
- “Casualties are from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir,” said Block Medical Officer of Community Health Centre, Gopal Dutt
Jammu: A heavy rush of devotees triggered a stampede at the famous Mata Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, killing at least 12 people and injuring 20 others. The stampede took place outside the shrine’s sanctum sanctorum near gate number three.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to pay condolences. “Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon,” tweeted the PM.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Manoj Sinha spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and briefed him about the incident. A high-level inquiry has been ordered into today’s stampede. The inquiry committee will be headed by Principal Secretary (Home) with ADGP, Jammu and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu as members.
Mata Vaishno Devi shrine stampede news
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Helpline nos: 01991-234804, 01991-234053; Other Helpline nos: PCR Katra 01991232010/ 9419145182, PCR Reasi 0199145076/ 9622856295, DC Office Reasi Control room: 01991245763/ 9419839557
Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh took to Twitter to inform that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “personally monitoring and keeping track of the tragic situation arising out of stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. PM has conveyed his sympathies to bereaved families and issued instructions to provide all possible medical aid & assistance to the injured”. The minister is rushing to “Katra to take stock of the situation”.
An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. The injured would be given Rs 50,000: PM Narendra Modi
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Manoj Sinha has announced that an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh will be given to the families of those who died in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra and Rs 2 lakh to those who were injured.
According to officials, 12 people died in the stampede, and their bodies have been transported to a hospital at Katra base camp for identification and other legal formalities.
They added that 20 more people were injured, and most of them are receiving treatment at the Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital. Four of the injured were listed as “critical”.
While speaking to ANI, Block Medical Officer of Community Health Centre, Gopal Dutt, said, “12 people have died in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra. Casualties are from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and one is from Jammu and Kashmir.”
