Vaishno Devi stampede: 12 dead, 13 injured, rescue operations under way

A stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra on Saturday morning killed 12 pilgrims and injured nearly 13 other people who have been hospitalized. The horrifying incident occurred at around 2:45 am and the initial findings have indicated that the stampede was caused due to an argument that broke out among the pilgrims, Jammu&Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh told news agency ANI.

Those who died were devotees from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and 1 person was from J&K. The panic that led to the casualties occurred outside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine atop Trikuta hills.

"12 dead, 13 injured in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra. The incident occurred around 2.45 am, and as per initial reports, an argument broke out which resulted in people pushing each other, followed by stampede," said J&K DGP Dilbagh Singh

The injured civilians were admitted to hospitals including the Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital. The conditions of several wounded devotees continue to be 'serious'.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief for the lives lost and extended condolences to the bereaved families. The prime minister also said that he is monitoring the situation following the stampede, according to MoS Home Nityanand Rai.
 

PM Modi also announced that an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra, J&K. He further said that the injured pilgrims would be given Rs. 50,000.

Helpline Numbers:
 

Several helpline contacts have also been shared by the official Twitter handle of the Office of Lt. Governor of J&K.