Several people, including women and children, were injured in a stampede at Shivneri Fort in Pune district during Shivaji Jayanti celebrations. The incident occurred as large crowds gathered to participate in rituals and commemorative events at the historic site.
Visitors had been arriving since Wednesday night, with many carrying the ceremonial Shiv Jyot and saffron flags. The heavy turnout led to severe congestion within the fort premises.
Overcrowding Triggered Panic at Narrow Entry Points
Authorities reported that the situation escalated at narrow access points such as Hathi Darwaza and Ganesh Darwaza below the Amberkhana, where large groups attempted to move simultaneously.
The congestion caused panic and confusion, ultimately triggering a stampede. Witnesses said people struggled to move through the packed passageways, while others attempted to escape the slow-moving crowd by climbing onto sections of the fort’s structure.
Video footage from the site showed dense crowds moving slowly before panic spread. Some visitors were seen climbing onto damaged portions of the fort walls to escape the crush.
Inadequate Crowd Control Measures
Officials acknowledged that police deployment at the site was insufficient to manage the unexpected surge in visitors. The overcrowding and limited crowd management measures contributed to the tense situation for a period.
Shivneri Fort, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, attracts large crowds every year during Shivaji Jayanti, making crowd management a critical safety concern.
Emergency Response and Medical Treatment
Emergency teams responded promptly, and injured individuals were transported to a government hospital in Junnar for treatment. Authorities confirmed that medical care is ongoing and that most injuries are not life-threatening.
Officials are monitoring the situation and assessing crowd management arrangements to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Safety Concerns at Historic Sites
The incident highlights the challenges of managing large gatherings at historic monuments with narrow entry points and limited infrastructure.
Authorities are expected to review safety measures, including improved crowd flow management, increased police deployment, and enhanced emergency response planning during major events.
As celebrations continue across Maharashtra, officials are urging visitors to follow safety guidelines and cooperate with authorities to ensure orderly movement at crowded heritage sites.
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