12 killed, 13 injured in stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine
As many as 12 people were killed and 13 others injured after a stampede occurred at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on Saturday morning, Jammu and Kashmir's Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh said.
"12 dead, 13 injured in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra. The incident occurred around 2:45 am, and as per initial reports, an argument broke out which resulted in people pushing each other, followed by the stampede," Singh said to ANI.
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Meanwhile, the injured were taken to Naraina Hospital after the rescue.
The Block Medical Officer of Community Health Centre, Gopal Dutt said, "12 people have died in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra. Casualties are from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir. More details are awaited. Injured are being taken to Naraina Hospital after rescue."
The shrine board established a dedicated helpline, which can be approached at Phone Numbers 01991234804 & 01991234053. Helplines established by District Administration are: PCR Katra 01991-232010/ 9419145182, PCR Reasi 01991245076/ 9622856295; DC Reasi Control Room 01991-245763/ 9419839557.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "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 Manoj Sinha Ji, Ministers Jitendra Singh, Nityanand Rai and took stock of the situation."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief at the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from Prime Minister National Relief Fund to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan and an amount of Rs 50,000 for the injured. Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of those who died and Rs 2 lakh for the injured. Also Read | Arjun Kapoor, Rhea Kapoor test positive for Covid-19 -PTC News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief at the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from Prime Minister National Relief Fund to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan and an amount of Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of those who died and Rs 2 lakh for the injured.
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