A stampede broke out at Haridwar’s Mansa Devi temple on Sunday, killing at least seven people and leaving many injured, police said.

Rumour of an electric current where the stairs to the temple begin sent the devotees into a panic, leading to the stampede, Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police Pramendra Singh Dobal told PTI Videos.

About 35 people were rushed to hospital and six of them died, he said.

The incident took place around 9.30 am.

Videos from the hospital showed worried family members gathering outside waiting for news.

Pramendra Singh Dobal, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Haridwar, initially confirmed six deaths and said, "The police force reached the spot immediately and began the rescue operation. Around 35 injured people were admitted to the hospital, out of which six deaths have been confirmed. The main cause behind the stampede appears to be panic triggered by rumours about an electric current."

A huge crowd had gathered at the Mansa Devi temple when the stampede occurred, Shankar further said, adding that he is on his way to the temple.

A rescue and relief operation has been launched and the injured are being taken to hospitals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences to the victims' families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. "Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede on the route to Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected," he said.

“It is extremely distressing to receive news of a stampede on the route to the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar. @uksdrf, local police, and other rescue teams have reached the site and are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I am in constant contact with the local administration regarding this matter, and the situation is being closely monitored. I pray to Mother Goddess for the safety and well-being of all devotees,” said Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami.

Dhami announced a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. He also visited the injured at the district hospital in Haridwar and assured their families of all help.

Prime facie, it appears that the stampede broke out following a rumour that electricity was running through broken wires, District Magistrate Mayur Dikshit told reporters in Haridwar.

Some broken wires were found at the site, suggesting that some people tried to climb up the stairs to the temple by clutching at those, he said

The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Dehradun said six people were killed and 28 injured in the stampede, of whom five have been referred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh.

Those killed were identified as Arush (12), Shakal Dev (18), Vicky (18), Vipin (18), Vakil and Shanti.

Perched atop the Shivalik Hills at a height of over 500 feet, the Mansa Devi temple is dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi. It is one of the five sacred sites or Panch Tirthas of Haridwar.