Temple rush kills 7 in Bihar

At least seven people were killed and several others injured in a stampede outside the Ashok Dham Temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district on Monday. The incident occurred amidst a heavy rush of devotees at Ashok Dham halt railway station, which is a short walk from the temple.

Officials claim panic may have been triggered by rumours that a live electric wire had fallen on the crowd after an electric pole collapsed. The tragedy unfolded amid a heavy rush of worshippers who had gathered at the temple on the third Monday of the month of Sawan.

Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar said, “At least seven devotees died, and 14 others were injured in the stampede near Ashok Dham halt railway station in Lakhisarai on Monday morning.” The incident occurred at 6.30 am when a section of the barricades gave way under the pressure of the crowd, causing people to fall over one another, the officer said.

Officials are trying to ascertain the identity of the deceased and injured, Kumar added.

President Droupadi Murmu expressed her deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the stampede that occurred in Bihar, and extended her heartfelt condolences to the grieving families. Union Minister for Home Affairs, Amit Shah, assured that the local administration is providing all possible treatment to the injured in the “extremely tragic incident”. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed grief over the deaths of devotees in the stampede and announced Rs 4 lakh ex gratia to the kin of each deceased.