12 dead, 14 injured in stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine

Jammu, January 1, 2021

Twelve people were killed and 14 injured on Saturday in a stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district.

Officials of the shrine said the stampede occurred when a large number of devotees entered the Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan without permission slips.

"Large number of devotees had come to pay obeisance at the shrine to mark the new year. The stampede occurred around 2.45 a.m. today.

"It took place outside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. Senior officials of the government and the shrine board are on the spot.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally monitoring the relief and rescue operation," officials said.

"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. Spoke to JK LG Shri @manojsinha_ Ji, Ministers Shri @DrJitendraSingh Ji, @nityanandraibjp Ji and took stock of the situation," Modi said on his official Twitter handle.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) also announced an amount of Rs 2 lakh each for the next-of-kin of the deceased from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

The PMO said that the amount would be given to the families of those who lost their lives due to the stampede. The injured would be given Rs 50,000, the PMO added.

IANS