Vaishno Devi Temple stampede
{{Short description|2022 disaster in Jammu and Kashmir}}
{{Infobox event
|name=Vaishno Devi Temple crowd crush
|image=Vaishno.jpg
|caption=Vaishno Devi Temple during winter
|date= {{start date and age|2022|01|01|df=y}}
|time= Mid-night; Between 00:00 to 01:00 IST
|place=Vaishno Devi Temple, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, India
|coordinates ={{coord|33.0299|74.9482|type:landmark_region:IN-JK|display=title, inline}}
| cause = altercation between a group of devotees
| deaths = 12
| injuries = 16
}}
On 1 January 2022, 12 people were killed and 16 others injured in a crowd crush near to Gate No. 3 at the Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, northern India.{{Cite web|title=Vaishno Devi Stampede: Scuffle between 2 groups claimed as cause; probe panel to submit report within a week|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/jan/01/vaishno-devi-stampedescuffle-between-2-groups-claimed-as-cause-probe-panel-to-submit-report-within-a-week-2402048.html|access-date=2022-01-01|website=The New Indian Express}}{{Cite news|date=2022-01-01|title=At least 12 killed in stampede at religious shrine in India Kashmir|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/least-12-killed-stampede-religious-shrine-india-kashmir-2022-01-01/|access-date=2022-01-01}}
Crush
{{more|Crowd collapses and crushes}}
Hundreds of people were packed inside the Vaishno Devi Temple corridor to offer prayers shortly after midnight to start the first day of the new year of 2022. Outside the temple, the roads leading to it were packed with people, with an eyewitness claiming there was hardly room to walk. Around 2:30 am many recall hearing a large commotion before the crush.{{Cite news|last=Yasir|first=Sameer|date=2022-01-01|title=At Least 12 Die in Stampede at a Hindu Shrine in Kashmir|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/01/world/asia/hindu-shrine-stampede-kashmir.html|access-date=2022-01-05|issn=0362-4331}}
An eyewitness claimed to have fallen with about two dozen people after watching a large crowd leave the temple and those behind them surged forward, and felt that he was going to die as people continue to move over those who had died. Another recounted that they had fallen due to people pushing them near a pathway at the shrine, with another eyewitness claiming that the crowd suddenly turned aggressive and created a stampede.{{Cite web|date=2022-01-02|title=Vaishno Devi stampede: Homemaker leaves behind two teenagers|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/vaishno-devi-stampede-homemaker-leaves-behind-two-teenagers-7701816/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Bhatnagar|first=Amil|date=2022-01-02|title=Vaishno Devi stampede: ‘Finally a cop answered…confirmed worst fears’|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/vaishno-devi-stampede-finally-a-cop-answered-7701810/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}
Investigation
The government launched an investigation into the crush.{{Cite news|date=2022-01-01|title=India: At least 12 dead in New Year temple stampede|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-59845278|access-date=2022-01-02}} A three-member inquiry panel, headed by Principal Secretary Shaleen Jabra was created and tasked with completing a report within a week from the stampede.{{Cite web|title=On Vaishno Devi Stampede, Notice For Public To Share Information|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/on-vaishno-devi-stampede-notice-for-public-to-share-information-2684645|access-date=2022-01-05|website=NDTV.com}} An announcement was issued to the public, inviting any information or documentation about the stampede be brought forward for investigators via email, phone or Whatsapp message or by appearing before the Enquiry Committee.{{Cite web|date=2022-01-02|title=Vaishno Devi stampede: Govt asks people to share facts, electronic evidence|url=https://www.siasat.com/vaishno-devi-stampede-govt-asks-people-to-share-facts-electronic-evidence-2251843/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=The Siasat Daily|language=en-US}}
Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that he was "saddened" by the loss of life.
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha announced on 2 January that all next of kin of those who died in the crush would receive an additional {{INRconvert|5|l|year=2022}} ex-gratia for a total compensation of {{INRconvert|15|l|year=2022}}.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=January 2, 2022|title=Vaishno Devi stampede: J-K LG announces additional Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia for kin of deceased|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/vaishno-devi-stampede-j-k-lg-announces-additional-rs-5-lakh-ex-gratia-for-kin-of-deceased/articleshow/88647164.cms |access-date=2022-01-05|website=The Times of India|language=en}}
See also
- {{slink|Crowd collapses and crushes#Crowd "stampedes"}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Disasters in India in 2022}}
{{Human crushes}}
Category:2022 disasters in India
Category:2020s in Jammu and Kashmir
Category:Disasters in Jammu and Kashmir
Category:January 2022 in India
Category:Disasters in Hindu temples