Dehradun: Eight persons killed in the tragic stampede occurred on the pathway leading to the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar on Sunday.

Haridwar SP Pramendra Dobhal had confirmed the scale of the tragedy a total of 35 people were injured in the stampede. Some critically injured individuals have been referred to higher medical centres for advanced treatment.

According to preliminary reports, the chaos was allegedly triggered by a rumour of an electric current on the route, causing panic among the devotees. Several people were injured in the incident, which has cast a shadow over the religious pilgrimage. Among the deceased is a 12 year old boy, five of whom are reported to be serious.

Those who fell on the narrow, crowded stairwell had no chance. People were just trampled underfoot as the crowd surged forward. The sudden stampede transformed the temple path into a scene of utter pandemonium. Victims, once fallen, found it impossible to rise as the surging crowd inadvertently trampled them.

The path where the accident occurred is notoriously narrow and is typically closed entirely during major festival occasions. However, devotees were reportedly being allowed through despite Sunday’s extreme congestion. As a precautionary measure, the road leading to the temple has been temporarily closed to pilgrims.