Haridwar Stampede: Death Toll Reaches 9 After Another Succumbs at AIIMS

Quick Summary

• The death toll from the Mansa Devi temple stampede in Haridwar rose to nine as another victim, 55-year-old Phoolmati from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, succumbed to injuries at AIIMS Rishikesh on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
• The stampede initially claimed eight lives and left 30 injured on Sunday, July 27, 2025.
• Phoolmati had been critically injured and kept on ventilator support since the incident.
• Five people are still receiving treatment at AIIMS Rishikesh; two remain on ventilator support (including Diksha and her four-year-old daughter Akanksha),while two others are under oxygen support. One of the injured is reported to be out of danger now.

indian Opinion Analysis
The tragic events at Mansa Devi temple underscore critical concerns about crowd management during large gatherings in India’s religious sites. With nine fatalities and injuries affecting individuals across age groups-like a mother-daughter duo requiring ventilator care-the episode highlights gaps in preparedness for emergencies within popular pilgrimage locations like Haridwar that attract massive footfalls annually. A thorough investigation into what triggered the stampede could reveal systemic deficiencies such as inadequate security measures or oversight of crowd flow mechanisms that need addressing urgently for future safety assurance.

Further steps focusing on collaboration between local authorities and healthcare facilities during high-risk periods may minimize casualties when incidents occur. Additionally, raising public awareness through preventive protocols regarding mass participation events might help reduce risks considerably.

Read more: The Hindu