India has tragically witnessed 129 deaths in stampedes so far this year. These devastating incidents occurred during various gatherings, including religious events, victory celebrations, and even at railway stations and political rallies. In a nation with a massive population, crowd management remains a critical challenge, especially during large-scale events like religious festivals and pilgrimages, where overcrowding often strains security measures.
On November 1, another fatal stampede occurred at the Venkateswara Swamy temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, during the Ekadashi observance. Nine people, including a child, lost their lives. Survivors pointed to inadequate crowd management at the privately-run temple as a major factor in the tragedy.
A Year of Tragic Stampedes: 2025 Overview
This year, a total of eight major stampede incidents have claimed numerous lives due to massive crowd gatherings at various events. Here’s a breakdown:
- Andhra Temple Stampede (November 1): Nine lives were lost, including eight women and a boy, at the Venkateswara Swamy temple in Srikakulam during Ekadashi. Authorities noted that better communication about expected crowd surges could have prevented the disaster, with survivors citing poor crowd management and narrow entry/exit paths.
- Karur Stampede (September 27): A rally by actor-politician Vijay in Tamil Nadu’s Karur turned tragic, killing 41 people and injuring over 50. The venue, expected to hold 10,000, was overwhelmed by nearly three times that number. Vijay’s delayed arrival further swelled the crowd. The incident was later described as a “huge man-made disaster” by the Chennai High Court, leading to a CBI probe.
- Haridwar Stampede (July 27): A surge of devotees on a path to the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar resulted in a stampede that killed nine people, including a child. Panic, reportedly fueled by rumors of an electrical fault on the stairs, led to the incident. A magisterial probe was initiated.
- Bengaluru Stampede During RCB Victory Celebrations (June 4): Eleven people died and 50 were injured when a massive crowd of an estimated 300,000 gathered for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL victory celebration. The Karnataka government’s report cited poor coordination and overwhelming turnout as key failures.
- Goa Temple Stampede (May 3): Six people were killed and 70 injured at the Lairai Devi Zatra temple in North Goa. Panic may have been triggered when a devotee accidentally touched a light bulb with a cane stick, causing an electric shock and subsequent fall. The incident occurred on a sloping ground, exacerbating the situation.
- New Delhi Railway Station Stampede (February 15): A rush of passengers to board trains for the Maha Kumbh mela in Prayagraj led to a stampede at New Delhi railway station, killing 18 people, including four children. Alleged mismanagement, the sale of a high number of unreserved tickets, and a confusing train platform announcement contributed to the chaos.
- Maha Kumbh Stampede (January 29): During the Maha Kumbh mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 30 people died and 60 were injured as a large crowd rushed for a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya. Barricades were breached, and the narrow riverbank led to a deadly crush. A judicial commission was formed to investigate.
- Tirupati Stampede (January 9): Six devotees lost their lives at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala Hills, Andhra Pradesh, as they rushed for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam tickets. Long queues and the sudden opening of gates contributed to the crush, with temple authorities offering an apology for the unfortunate event.