While the country was busy welcoming the new year 2022 filled with hopes and promises, the country witnessed a tragedy as 12 people lost their lives in a stampede in Jammu and Kashmir.
Atleast 12 people were killed and 20 others injured in a stampede at the famous Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir triggered by a heavy rush of devotees, officials said on Saturday.
Devotees usually trek to the hilltop shrine from the Katra base camp, a distance of nearly 13 km, while some reach there by helicopters. The stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra was reported in the wee hours of Saturday following a heavy rush of devotees on the first day of the new year.
Commenting on the situation, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh today said preliminary information from the scene suggests there was a minor altercation among some young boys, and within seconds, there was a stampede situation.
“Police and officials of the civil administration were quick to respond, and the order within the crowd was immediately restored, but by that time, the damage had been done,” he said.
