12 people killed in stampede at the Vaishno Devi Shrine in India
12 devotees have died after a stampede at one of India’s holiest shrines on New Year’s Day and several others were hospitalized.
Thousands of people were at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu, northern India when the stampede happened around 2:30 a.m local time Saturday.
Thousands of Indians visit the shrine daily and the cause of the stampede has yet to be established.
A high level inquiry has been ordered by Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “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.”
