Monkeys spark deadly stampede after snapping electric cable triggering panic in packed Indian temple
The group of monkeys jumped onto an electric wire outside the Ausaneshwar Mahadev Temple in the Barabanki region, causing it to snap and fall on a shed, triggering panic among worshippers who tried to flee the area.
Nineteen people were electrocuted, while more than two dozen others were injured in the ensuring stampede-like incident, district magistrate Shashank Tripathi said.
The incident occurred around 2 am (2030 GMT Sunday), as groups of worshippers started to gather at the temple for their Monday offerings during the sacred Hindu month of Shravan.
When the monkeys hurled themselves on the wire, causing it to snap, an electric current began to flow through three tin sheds at the temple complex, Tripathi added.
The lethal stampede occurred when some people at the temple 'came in contact' with the electric wire, causing panic, the area's chief medical officer said.
'Two people were killed today in a stampede-like situation (at the temple) early in the morning,' a senior police officer, who did not want to be named, told Reuters.
The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, offered his condolences to the families of those impacted, and reportedly announced a compensation of Rs 500,000 (£4,300) to be paid to each of the families of the deceased.
Accidents involving large crowds are not uncommon at religious gatherings in India, and are often blamed on poor crowd management.
At least 30 people were killed in a pre-dawn crowd crush at the Maha Kumbh (Great Pitcher) festival in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj in January, as tens of millions gathered to take a dip in sacred river waters on its most auspicious day.
Six people were also killed in a stampede in neighbouring Uttarakhand state's Haridwar on Sunday, where a large crowd gathered to offer prayers at the Mansa Devi temple.
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