It was a morning like any other in the Cuttack district of Odisha, but then came the news of a stampede tragedy that took place in the area during the Makar Sankranti Mela at Singhanath temple in Athgarh. According to reports, a stampede broke out on the Gopinathpur-Badamba T bridge over river Mahanadi in Cuttack district on Saturday evening, one person was killed and more than 15 others were injured as a result.
The incident happened as more than 2 lakh devotees turned up to participate in Makar Sankranti Mela. This resulted in a heavy rush on Gopinathpur-Badamba Bridge which connects the main road with the temple located in river Mahanadi. It is unclear what caused the stampede but what we do know is that the stampede became so intense that the elderly, women, and children were the most affected.
The Chief Minister of Odisha has announced a compensation of 5 lakhs for the family of the deceased and those who were injured were admitted to a hospital in Badamba. This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of being prepared for such situations. A stampede is a tragedy, not just for the family of the deceased, but also for the entire community. We should all remember that safety is of utmost importance and should not be taken lightly.
