An early morning religious gathering at the Avsaaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Barabanki took a tragic turn on Monday when a broken live electric wire caused a panic-induced stampede, leaving two devotees dead and more than 30 others injured.
The incident occurred between 2:00 and 2:30 am during the jalabhishek ritual, a holy offering observed on Mondays in the month of Shravan. Devotees had gathered in large numbers to participate in the sacred ceremony when the overhead wire, reportedly damaged by monkeys, fell onto a tin shed on the temple premises.
District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi confirmed that the situation escalated when the electrical current spread through the metal structure, shocking multiple people and leading to chaos. “Devotees came to Ausaneshwar Mahadev temple to offer prayers on Monday of the ‘saavan’ month. The electric wire broke and fell on the shed. Around 19 people were injured by electric shocks,” he said, adding that the scene is now under control.
Who were the Victims?
Authorities identified one of the deceased as 22-year-old Prashant, a resident of Mubarakpura village. The second victim remains unidentified. Both individuals succumbed to injuries during treatment at the Trivediganj Community Health Centre (CHC).
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Awadhesh Prasad reported that 29 people were brought to the Haidergarh CHC, with one referred to a higher medical facility in stable condition. “Nine people were taken to the community health centre Trivediganj, out of which two were brought dead and the remaining seven are out of danger,” he stated. Six additional patients were treated and discharged from a nearby facility.
Eyewitnesses described the horrifying sequence: a monkey leaped onto overhead wires, which then snapped and landed on a section of the tin-covered temple complex. As the current surged through the structure, panic erupted among the crowd. “Some monkeys jumped onto the overhead electric wires, causing them to fall onto the tin shed. As a result, around 19 people received electric shocks. The situation is otherwise under control,” Tripathi reiterated.
Police Reached the Site to Handle the Situation
Law enforcement officials, including Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya, reached the site promptly, working alongside emergency services to manage the crowd and provide relief.
Responding swiftly to the tragedy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his condolences and announced a compensation package. In a statement posted to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, his office said, “Chief Minister Shri @myogiadityanath Ji Maharaj has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in an unfortunate accident at the Shri Avsaneshwar Mahadev Temple premises in Barabanki district and extended his condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased.”
The post continued, “Maharaj Ji has directed the district administration officials to expedite the proper treatment of the injured and relief operations. Maharaj Ji has prayed to Lord Mahadev, the Supreme Deity, to grant salvation to the departed souls and a speedy recovery to the injured.”
Ex Gratia Announced By the CM
The Chief Minister has approved an ex gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives in the incident.
This marks the second such incident in two days involving temple gatherings and electrical hazards. On Sunday, a stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, claimed eight lives and injured approximately 30 others. The panic reportedly began when rumours of a live current near the stairway entrance spread among a dense crowd of devotees.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has launched a magisterial inquiry into the Haridwar stampede and announced financial aid of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. CM Yogi Adityanath also extended condolences and financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the families from Uttar Pradesh affected in the Haridwar tragedy.
In both cases, authorities are facing growing calls to tighten safety measures at high-footfall religious sites, particularly during the ongoing Shravan festivities.
