In a devastating incident during the holy month of Shravan, a stampede broke out at the Avsaneshwar Mahadev temple in Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh, early Monday morning. Two devotees lost their lives and 32 others were injured after a live electric wire, dislodged by monkeys, fell onto a tin shed. Panic ensued as the current spread through the shed while hundreds of devotees were performing the ritual of jalabhishek. Chaos and confusion led to a stampede inside the temple premises.

Among the deceased was a 22-year-old named Prashant from Mubarakpura village, while the identity of the second victim, a 30-year-old devotee, is yet to be confirmed. Both succumbed to their injuries at Trivediganj Community Health Centre (CHC). Of the injured, ten were taken to Trivediganj CHC, where five were referred to higher medical facilities due to critical conditions. Meanwhile, 26 others are being treated at the Haidergarh CHC, and one has been moved to a specialized center for advanced care.

District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi confirmed that monkeys had damaged the electric wire, which then electrified three tin sheds, causing mass panic. Security and district officials quickly arrived at the scene to manage the situation and assist victims. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the bereaved families. He directed the local administration to ensure speedy medical assistance to the injured and conduct a thorough investigation into the tragedy.