Vaishno Devi stampede LIVE Updates: Three-member panel on Vaishno devi stampede to submit report within a week

The Saturday stampede that killed 12 people occurred “due to a scuffle between two groups of pilgrims”, the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said in a statement, emphasising only 35,000 pilgrims were allowed to proceed for the yatra against the normal capacity of 50,000 in view of the pandemic. 

Terming the stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine a "man-made tragedy", some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders on Saturday blamed the Jammu and Kashmir administration for it and demanded a high-level probe into the incident in which at least 12 people were killed. They also asked how a large number of devotees were allowed to gather at the temple despite Covid protocols being in place.

A joint statement issued by Jammu-based PDP leaders said, "The tragedy is the result of the failure on the part of the administration.
It is not an accident but a man-made tragedy because those at the helm of the affairs are responsible for the first-ever stampede at the holy cave shrine.

The three-member panel set up to probe the stampede at the famous Vaishno Devi shrine has been asked to submit its report to the Jammu and Kashmir government within a week. 

Hundreds of people have died in stampedes at temples and other religious gatherings over the years in India. Here is a list of some of such major tragedies that have taken place in the country after 2000:

• August 27, 2003: 39 people were killed and around 140 injured in a stampede during the holy bath at the Kumbh Mela in Maharashtra's Nashik district
• January 25, 2005: More than 340 devotees were trampled to death and hundreds injured during an annual pilgrimage at Mandhardevi temple in Maharashtra's Satara district. The accident occurred when some people fell down on the steps made slippery by devotees breaking coconuts.

Click to read more 

Uttar Pradesh Govt announces an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakhs each for the kin of those from the state who died in the stampede in Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.  

Seven pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh and three from Delhi were among the 12 people who died in a stampede at Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir in the early hours of Saturday, officials said. The other two -- Mamta (38) and Dheeraj Kumar (26) -- belonged to Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, respectively, they said. Seven deceased Uttar Pradesh pilgrims have been identified as Shewata Singh (35), Dharamveer Singh (35), Vineet Kumar (38), Arun Pratab Singh (30), Monu Sharma (32), Mohinder Gour (26) and Narinder Kashap (40), according to the list of the dead persons released by authorities. The three deceased pilgrims from Delhi were identified as Akash Kumar (29), Sonu Panday (24) and Vinay Kumar (24). Sixteen people, who were injured in the incident, were admitted to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana hospital at Kakriyal. Six among them were discharged after necessary treatment. 

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and senior leaders of the party mourned the deaths in a stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. Congress president Sonia Gandhi has condoled the deaths in the stampede at the Vaishno Devi shrine, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

Attributing the death of 12 pilgrims in a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine to the “grave negligence” of the administration, the Congress party on Saturday demanded a Rs 50 lakh compensation to families of those killed and Rs 10 lakh to the injured in the “tragic” incident. The J&K unit of Congress demanded the enhanced compensation over and above Rs 10 lakh announced for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh to the injured. Senior party leaders including AICC Seva Dal chief Lal Ji Desai, J&K Congress president G A Mir and working president Raman Bhalla observed a two-minute silence to pay tributes to the deceased and pray for early recovery of the injured.

Jitendra Singh inspects Vaishno Devi Bhawan stampede site 

Union Minister Jitendra Singh inspected Vaishno Devi Bhawan stampede site with DGP Dilbag Singh in Katra  "We'll now hold discussions in Katra with the Vaishno Devi trust officials. We have to limit the number of devotees going for the yatra & ask them to cooperate," he says. 

Innovative measures are required to deal with the trend of youngsters visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine on New Year, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Saturday, as he arrived here to take stock of the situation following a stampede that left 12 devotees dead. 
The minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office visited the cave shrine atop the Trikuta hills in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir and also met injured devotees undergoing treatment at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital at Kakriyal.

12 devotees died in the Katra stampede. 16 others were rushed to a hospital out of which 9 were discharged. 7 people are still in the hospital & some of them are on ventilators. Chief Secretary (home), ADG (Jammu) & DC (Jammu) will investigate this incident: J&K LG Manoj Sinha

All required help has been provided & arrangements are being made. An inquiry is underway in this unfortunate incident: J&K Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta. 

Expressing deep grief over the loss of lives in a stampede at Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said all efforts are being made to provide relief to those injured in the unfortunate incident. Speaking at an event for the release of funds to farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme, Modi said he spoke to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Lt Governor Manoj Sinha in this regard.

Yatra at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine resumed Saturday afternoon after 12 people were killed and 14 injured in a stampede at the shrine in the early hours of Saturday.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav offers condolences on the death of pilgrims at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. 

"The news about the death of 12 pilgrims and others being injured is extremely unfortunate. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident. The government should take immediate steps to give out information about those misplaced," Akhilesh Yadav wrote on Twitter today. 

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai prays for the quick recovery of all those injured in the stampede. 

"Deeply saddened by the unfortunate turn of events at the divine shrine of #VaishnoDevi. My heart goes out to the families of all those who have lost their lives. Also praying for the quick recovery of all those injured in the stampede," the Karnataka chief minister wrote on Twitter.

The Vaishno Devi pilgrimage is going on smoothly with strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs), including COVID-19 guidelines, despite a stampede that claimed 12 lives and left over a dozen injured, a senior government official said on Saturday. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Raghav Langer said the bodies of four victims of the stampede were dispatched to their native places, while the process to send the rest of the bodies was in progress.

"The (Vaishno Devi) Yatra has resumed (after the stampede) and is going on smoothly," the divisional commissioner told reporters at Katra as the committee visited the town to begin its probe.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh reaches Katra, takes stock of the stampede situation at the Vaishno Devi shrine.

Full Report

“Deeply saddened by the news from #matavaishnodevi. My condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the stampede & prayers for the quick & complete recovery of all those injured", National Conference (NC) vice president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah wrote on Twitter.

Image shows bodies of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine stampede victims being kept at a Community Health Centre at Katra

12 people were killed in a stampede at Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra

Image shows Union Minister Jitendra Singh, accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbag Singh meets injured victims of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine stampede, at a hospital near Jammu

MoS Jitendra Singh at a hospital near Vaishno Devi shrine

Two members of the Vaishno Devi shrine stampede inquiry committee visit Katra to take stock of the situation, oversee adherence to covid guidelines

Union minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday visited devotees injured in a stampede at the famous Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, was accompanied by Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh during his visit to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital at Kakriyal. 

He enquired about the condition of the devotees undergoing treatment at the facility.

The minister interacted with the injured pilgrims and was also briefed by the doctors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the central government is in constant touch with the Jammu and Kashmir administration and full care is being taken towards the relief work for those injured in the stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.

Speaking at a programme to release funds under the PM-KISAN scheme, Modi expressed his condolences and said he has spoken to Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took to Twitter and said she received the unfortunate news of stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. She also offered condolences to the families of those killed in the incident. Priyanka also prayed for the good health of those injured in the incident. 

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today prayed for the peace of departed souls in the stampede incident at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra. 

Taking to Twitter, Khattar today said, "Deeply saddened to hear about the accident that took place at Mata Vaishno Devi at Jammu. May God grant peace to the departed souls and I pray for speedy recovery of the injured. My condolences to the bereaved families. We are ready to help in any way possible. Om Shanti."

Image shows devotees waiting for their missing relatives following a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Katra. 

After stampede, pilgrims at Vaishno Devi shrine were seen waiting for their missing relatives

A sudden rush of devotees at the Vaishno Devi shrine to mark the beginning of the New Year triggered the stampede that resulted in the death of 12 people, some of the survivors said, blaming "mismanagement" for the tragedy.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, however, denied the charge, saying all necessary arrangements were made in view of the expected rush, while Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh blamed a minor altercation for the “unfortunate” incident.

"Nothing but mismanagement was the cause for this tragic accident. They were aware about the possible rush but allowed the people in unhindered," a pilgrim from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh said while waiting outside a mortuary to identify a dead body.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said this situation could have been avoided if the authorities concerned had managed the pilgrimage better.

Read Full Story Here

What Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbag Singh said today on the stampede situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Watch video

"Pained to know about the tragic stampede at Mata #VaishnoDevi Bhawan. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured ones," Devendra Fadnavis wrote on Twitter today.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today expressed grief over the stampede incident at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Katra.

"Deeply saddened at the loss of lives due to a stampede at Mata #VaishnoDevi Bhawan, Katra in J&K. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May they remain strong to bear this loss. Prayers for speedy recovery of the injured," Gehlot wrote on Twitter.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh releases list of deceased and injured following stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Katra.

Taking to Twitter, Anurag Thakur today said, "Anguished by the loss of lives at Vaishno Devi Bhawan. I express my sincere condolences to the affected families on this tragic incident. Rescue efforts are underway. Prayers for all those who are injured for a speedy recovery."

Eyewitness narrates the horror of Vaishno Devi stampede situation. Watch complete video

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today offered condolences over the loss of lives in Vaishno Devi stampede incident.

"Distressed by the loss of lives due to unfortunate stampede at Mata #VaishnoDevi Bhawan. Heartfelt condolences to bereaved families and praying for the speedy recovery of the injured," Gadkari wrote on Twitter.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti expressed grief over the loss of lives in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine early on Saturday.

"I am saddened by the tragic accident at Vaishno Devi and neither the administration nor the police is carrying out their duties. Instead, they are engrossed in threatening people into silence. My condolences to the families of those who lost their lives," Mufti said. 

Ex-gratia announced for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in stampede at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Katra.

Video explains what led to panic situation and later to stampede at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Katra

People who got admitted here are stable. We may add some technical solutions for the yatra. Earlier people use to visit the shrine during festivals, nowadays youngsters want to visit the shrine on 1st day of the year: PM Modi is monitoring the situation, says Union Minister Jitendra Singh

Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh reaches Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital where injured people were admitted following stampede incident in Katra.

Image shows relatives crying for a missing devotee at Darshani Deodi of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine where a stampede took place, in Reasi district

Devotees look for missing relatives 

Image shows heavy rush of devotees at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine that led to a stampede.

Pilgrims near Vaishno Devi main Bhawan

Image shows devotees waiting to purchase tickets to visit Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, in Reasi district, Saturday morning.

At least 12 people were killed and 20 others injured in a stampede at the shrine in the wee hours today.

Devotees at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine

Image shows a heavy rush of devotees at Darshani Deodi of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, following the stampede incident. The yatra was resumed after it was halted briefly

Heavy rush of devotees in Katra

Image shows devotees return without 'darshan' and prayers due to a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. 

At least 12 people were killed and 20 others injured in a stampede at the shrine in Jammu and Kashmir triggered by a heavy rush of devotees.

Devotees at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine

Image shows bodies of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine stampede victims kept at a Community Health Centre in Katra.

At least 12 people were killed and 20 others injured in a stampede at the shrine in Jammu and Kashmir triggered by a heavy rush of devotees

Rescue vehicles at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine stampede site

Image shows heavy rush of devotees at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine that led to a stampede, in Reasi district, Saturday morning

Heavy rush of devotees at Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra

Vaishno Devi Stampede: Image shows police personnel carrying out paper works at a Community Health Centre where bodies of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine stampede victims were kept at Katra

Stampede at Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra

"15 injured people were brought to the hospital, out of which 4 are admitted to ICU. A total of 11 people were stable, out of which 3-4 people were discharged after first aid. Around 5 are still under treatment," said Dr. JP Singh, Neurosurgeon, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal today expressed grief over the loss of lives in a stampede at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu, and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured.

"Extremely sorry to know about this incident at Mata Vaishno Devi temple premises. My sympathies to kin of the dead. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of all the injured," Kejriwal said in a tweet.

A minor altercation among some young boys led to the stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in which 12 people "unfortunately" died, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said on Saturday. The incident was very unfortunate, and police and other officials responded to the situation in no time, Singh said. 

Preliminary information from the scene suggests there was an altercation among some young boys, and within seconds, there was a stampede situation, Singh said.

"Police and officials from the civil administration were quick to respond, and the order within the crowd was immediately restored, but by that time, the damage had been done," he said.

"Immediately the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals," the police chief said, adding that 15 people were injured. 

"12 pilgrims lost their lives & 15 pilgrims got injured in the incident. Govt has ordered a high-level probe into the incident by a three-member team headed by the Principal Secretary Home, ADGP Jammu Zone & Divisional Commissioner Jammu," the board stated today.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief over the loss of lives in a stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra, Jammu, and Kashmir that took place early this morning, resulting in the death of at least 12 persons and injuring 13 others.

"The mind is deeply pained by the unfortunate accident that took place in Mata Vaishno Devi Dham. May Maa Adishakti grant peace to the souls of those who died in the accident and speedy recovery to those injured in the accident. My condolences are with the bereaved families. Om Shanti," the Chief Minister tweeted.

The cave shrine is situated at an altitude of 5,200 feet in the Reasi district and generally attracts close to a million devotees every year.

The operations of the pilgrimage site are managed by the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, which provides battery car and ropeway services to the pilgrims to reach the top of Trikuta hills for darshan.

"At around 2:15 am, an unfortunate stampede happened near gate no. 3 at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. Rescue and evacuation operations were immediately launched by the Shrine Board authorities, District Admin & Police," the board said today.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi mourned the deaths in a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

"The stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi temple is tragic. I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased," Gandhi said on Twitter. He also wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah today said he was deeply pained by the tragic accident at Mata Vaishno Devi temple and spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha who assured that the administration is providing treatment to the injured.

"Deeply pained by the tragic accident at Mata Vaishno Devi temple. In this regard, I have spoken to Lieutenant Governor of J&K Shri Manoj Sinha. The administration is working continuously to provide treatment to the injured. I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident," Shah tweeted in Hindi.

The Vaishno Devi yatra has resumed after it was briefly suspended following the stampede incident.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who is on his way to Katra, today said PM Modi is monitoring the situation following a stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra, Jammu, and issued instructions to provide all possible medical aid and assistance to the injured.

President Ram Nath Kovind today offered condolences to the bereaved families, following the stampede incident at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra.

"Very distressed to know that an unfortunate stampede claimed lives of devotees at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhavan. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I wish speedy recovery to those injured," the president said. 

MoS Home Nityanand Rai today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is monitoring the stampede situation at the Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is monitoring the situation following a stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra, Jammu. 13 injured people hospitalized in Narayana Hospital Katra," he said.

Registration at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra has now resumed. The yatra was briefly halted after the stampede incident. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expresses condolences over the tragic incident of the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.

"The tragedy due to a stampede at Mata Vaishno Bhawan is heart-wrenching. Anguished by the loss of lives due to it," Singh said on Twitter.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh has rushed to Katra in Jammu and Kashmir to take stock of the situation after a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine killed at least 12 people and injured 20 others. Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), is Lok Sabha member from Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur constituency.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Helpline numbers: 

01991-234804
01991-234053

Other Helpline numbers:

PCR Katra 01991232010/9419145182
PCR Reasi 0199145076/9622856295
DC Office Reasi Control room 01991245763/9419839557

Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha today said he has spoken to Home Miniter Amit Shah and has briefed him about the incident. A high-level inquiry has been ordered, which will be headed by Principal Secretary (Home) with ADGP, Jammu and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu as members.

Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha announces an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of those who died in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra; Rs 2 lakh for the injured.

Gopal Dutt, Block Medical Officer, Community Health Centre confirms 12 deaths in stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra. Casualties are from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and 1 from Jammu and Kashmir. 

Injured being taken to Naraina Hospital after rescue.

Visuals from near Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra where stampede has occurred

"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," prime minister Modi today said. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed grief over the stampede incident at Vaishno Devi 

"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," the prime minister said today.