2008 Jodhpur stampede
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A human stampede occurred on 30 September 2008 at the Chamunda Devi temple in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. The number of dead has been estimated variously at 113,[5] 147,[6] and 197.[2] More than 425 were injured[5]. The 15th-century temple is dedicated to the goddess Chamunda Devi[7] and is located within the premises of Mehrangarh Fort.[8]
About 25,000 Hindu pilgrims were visiting the temple on the early morning of the first day of the nine day festival called Navratri, a major festival dedicated to Goddess worship, in Hinduism celebrated across India and around the world.[9]
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[edit] Cause
The devotees scrambled towards the door the moment it opened, resulting in the destruction of the barricades. Many people were injured when they lost their footing on the slope approaching the temple.[1]
According to The Times of India, local reports suggest that a bomb blast in nearby Mehrangarh created panic among the pilgrims resulting in the stampede.[3] However, the BBC News reported that a collapsing wall may have also caused the stampede.[10] Some eyewitnesses told CNN-IBN that a rumor about a bomb being planted in the temple caused panic among pilgrims.[6]
Others said there was a scramble in the men's queue; some devotees slipped and soon there was a massive resultant stampede where a day of celebration turned into one of mourning.[11]
An eyewitness also said that the path leading to the temple was very narrow with no emergency exit routes.[4] District collector Naresh Pal Gangwar said "There was a ramp and that collapsed, and people slipped causing chaos and suffocation."[11]
[edit] Aftermath
Television footage showed frantic people trying to revive unconscious devotees by compressing their chests.[4] The Divisional Commissioner for Jodhpur said that of those dead, 30 bodies were brought to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital and 10 were taken to Mathura Das Hospital.[12] Later on, more than 400 injured devotees were admitted in seven hospitals across Jodhpur.[13] According to reports, there is a shortage of oxygen in local hospitals where the victims are being treated.[1]
Indian Army doctors are being called to assist the local authorities in the relief operation.[14] BJP's Rajnath Singh assured speedy relief to the victims of the tragedy.[15]
Local authorities revealed that most of the dead were men as the queue for women was separate.[16]
[edit] Reactions
Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri and Governor B L Joshi both expressed grief over the death of the pilgrims at the Chamunda Devi temple.
A Raj Bhavan statement issued a condolence message saying Joshi conveyed his deepest sorrow to the bereaved families of the dead and said he would pray for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident.
Khandury followed too in expressing grief over the accident. He also directed District Magistrates of all the 13 districts of his state to make special arrangements at religious places as they are expected to attract large crowds during the Navratra period.[11]
[edit] Criticism
Media reports said the authorities were ill-prepared, while claiming the crowd was "simply too much." They also said there was no medical help for the injured.
One eyewitness was quoted as saying "There was a lot of crowd and a steep slope. Some people slipped and everyone else lost balance and [then] there was a stampede."
Another said, "We carried them (the victims) ourselves, there was no other help, and vehicles couldn't come in."[11]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "179 dead in temple stampede in Jodhpur". The Times of India (30 September, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
- ^ a b Jodhpur stampede toll climbs to 197 India Today Group Online
- ^ a b "179 dead in temple stampede in Jodhpur". Times of India (30 September, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
- ^ a b c Crawford, Alex (September 30, 2008). "Dozens Crushed In Deadly Stampede". Sky News. Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
- ^ a b "At least 113 dead in India temple crush: official". AFP via Google News (September 30, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
- ^ a b "Death toll rises in temple stampede, 147 dead". CNN-IBN (September 30, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
- ^ "Shrieks punctuate sombre atmosphere in Chamunda temple". NDTV (September 30, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
- ^ "Indian temple stampede death toll climbs". AFP via Canberra Times (September 30, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
- ^ "At least 113 dead in India temple crush: official". AFP via Google News (September 30, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
- ^ "Scores die in India temple crush". BBC (September 30, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
- ^ a b c d "Uttarakhand CM, Governor express grief over stampede". The Hindu (September 30, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-10-01.
- ^ Sharma, Sangeeta (September 30, 2008). "At least 113 dead in India temple stampede: official". AFP via The Hindustan Times. Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
- ^ "List of hospitals where injured have been admitted". NDTV (September 30, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
- ^ "89 dead in India temple stampede: official". AFP via Google News (September 30, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
- ^ "BJP's Rajnath Singh assures speedy relief to victims". Times of India (September 30, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
- ^ Blakely, Rhys (September 30, 2008). "India temple stampede kills 177". The Times. Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
