J&K: Several injured after stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra
At least 12 people were killed, while nearly 20 others were injured in a stampede, triggered by heavy rush of devotees on New Year’s Day, at the famous Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Saturday.
The stampede happened shortly after midnight.
Senior officials and shrine board representatives are on the spot.
Hospital and police sources said at least 20 people were injured in the stampede and were taken to hospitals, including Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality hospital, and the condition of some of the injured was stated to be ‘serious’.
Commenting on the casualties, Gopal Dutt, Block Medical Officer, Community Health Centre said 12 people have died in the incident.
“Casualties are from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and one from Jammu and Kashmir. Those injured were being taken to Naraina Hospital after rescue.”
Meanwhile, the yatra to the shrine has for now been halted.
