12 Worshippers Killed In India’s Holiest Shrine On New Year's Day

Twelve worshippers were confirmed dead on New Year's Day, following a stampede at one of India’s holiest shrines an official told a local media. 

According to the official, the tragic incident happened at about 2:30 a.m on January 1, and left many other devotees who thronged into the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu, northern India with several degrees of injuries.

READ ALSO: Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliiu Adetunji Dies At 93

 The Mata Vaishno Devi is one of the most revered Hindu shrines in northern India, with tens of thousands visiting to offer prayers every day. 

Confirming the incident, the Deputy Commissioner of Reasi, Charandeep Singh, said: 

“So far, another 16 people were injured and have been hospitalized.” 

 The cause of the stampede, according to Singh, is yet to be established but he stated that a high level inquiry has been ordered by Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha. 

Initial reports however stated that the stampede was triggered by a heavy rush of people coming to pay their respects at the shrine to mark the beginning of the New Year. 

 A victim of the stampede who survived the incident told reporters that he had suffocated. 

 “Something happened near one of the gates and I found myself under a crush of people. I suffocated and fell but somehow managed to stand up. 

 “I saw people moving over the bodies. It was a horrifying sight, but I managed to help in rescuing some injured people,” he said. 

 Another survivor identified as Ravinder said he helped pick up most of the corpses. 

 “People fell over each other… It was difficult to figure out whose leg or arms were tangled with whose. 

 “I helped pick up eight bodies by the time ambulances arrived after about half an hour. I feel lucky to be alive but am still shaking with memory of what I saw.” 

READ ALSO: Burnaboy Apologizes For Fighting With A ‘Pig’, Quits Social Media

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed his sadness over the incident in a statement, sympathized with the families of the deceased. 

 He said; “I am 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.”