Rush of devotees, mismanagement by authorities: Eyewitnesses recount horror at Vaishno Devi shrine

Crowds of devotees and "sheer mismangement" by authorities triggered the stampede at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu on Saturday, according to eyewitness statements.

Teeming crowds of devotees and a lack of supervision by authorities precipitated the stampede at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra in the wee hours of Saturday, according to eyewitness statements.

Speaking to India Today, an eyewitness from Haryana who was present in the temple precinct when the tragic accident happened said there was no way to leave because of the large number of devotees milling about the shrine. People started pushing and shoving and some fell down on the ground and passed out, causing a panic which resulted in the stampede.