Mumbai: A Stampede that broke out near the residence of Dawoodi Bohra spiritual leader Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin at Malabar Hill Area of Mumbai has left around 18 people dead and 40 injured. The Victims were taken to nearby Saifee Hospital and Cumballa Hill Hospital.
Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, had died after a cardiac arrest on Friday (January 17) morning at the age of 98 (102 according to Islamic Calendar). He was the highest Spiritual Leader of the Dawoodi Bohra sect. He was to be buried today beside his father at Raudat Tahera Mausoleum in Bhendi Bazar, south Mumbai.
The incident took place at around 1:30 AM (January 18) in midnight when thousands of supporters of Dawoodi Bohra clan had assembled near Saifee Mahal, to pay their last respects to the spiritual leader Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin.
It is unknown how the stampede was triggered but devotees were seen falling over each other and many of them died due to suffocation. The incident took place very close to the REsidence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.
As per latest reports, his funeral procession started at around 10 AM from Saifee Mahal to Raudat Tahera mausoleum at Bhendi Bazar. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin led the Namaz-e-Janaza of the late spiritual leader.
Dawoodi Bohra is a sect of Shia Muslims spread all over the world. One of the key principles of the sect is patriotism as part of the faith.
Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin had succeeded his father upon his death in 1965. He was credited with transforming Dawoodi Bohras into a vibrant community and honoured with highest civilian titles like the Star of Jordan and Order of the Nile by the respective governments of Jordan and Egypt.