Two killed, 29 injured in stampede at temple after monkeys break electric wire

LUCKNOW: Two killed after an electric wire breaks and falls on devotees during temple festival. The accident occurred at the famous Awsaneshwar Mahadev temple at Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh. The incident happened at around 2 am on Monday. The devotees were gathering on a tin-roofed area to participate in the Jalabhishek festival, a ritual of offering water to deities particularly Lord Shiva which is performed during the holy month of Shravan. At this time, some monkeys broke a live electric wire which fell onto a tin shed in the temple. As people panicked, two people died in the stampede.

29 including women and children sustained injuries. People were running in fear as the current spread through the tin shed as the wire fell, causing panic. As soon as the accident happened, there was a huge cry from the whole place. People fell one after the other. We could not immediately understand what had happened,' said eyewitnesses. The police immediately reached the spot and the situation was brought under control.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident. He immediately directed to take necessary action. Locals alleged that the authorities did not provide adequate security at the temple.