12 dead, 14 injured in stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine

Several pilgrims have died and many others were injured during a stampede at Katra in Jammu, police officials said on Saturday.

Top officials have confirmed that 12 pilgrims have died and 14 others were injured during a stampede at Katra in Jammu. The incident took place at the Bhavan where there was a massive rush of pilgrims on the occasion of New year.

The yatra has been stopped for now while the injured have been moved to the hospital.

Vaishno Devi yatra draws thousands of pilgrims daily to Katra. The rush of pilgrims is particularly high during the Navratras.

Officials of the shrine said the stampede occurred when a large number of devotees entered the Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan without permission slips.

"Large number of devotees had come to pay obeisance at the shrine to mark the new year. The stampede occurred around 2.45 a.m. today.

"It took place outside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. Senior officials of the government and the shrine board are on the spot.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally monitoring the relief and rescue operation," officials said.

"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. Spoke to JK LG Shri @manojsinha_ Ji, Ministers Shri @DrJitendraSingh Ji, @nityanandraibjp Ji and took stock of the situation", Modi said on his official Twitter handle.

The Prime Minister's Office also announced an amount of Rs 2 lakh each for the dead from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

The PMO said that the amount would be given to the families of those who lost their lives due to the stampede. The injured would be given Rs 50,000, the PM's Office added.