At least seven women have been killed and more than 12 people injured after a stampede broke out near the Ashokdham temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district on Monday morning. Officials have warned that the death toll could rise as rescue and relief operations continue.
A senior police official confirmed the deaths, while emergency teams were deployed at the spot to assist the injured and manage the situation.
Panic Among Thousands of Devotees
The incident reportedly occurred on the road connecting Ashokdham railway station to the temple, where thousands of devotees had gathered and were waiting in queues for darshan.
According to preliminary information, an electricity pole had fallen on the route a few hours before the stampede.
Panic reportedly spread after people were told that the fallen pole had come into contact with devotees and that some people may have suffered electric shocks.
Barricades Collapse as Crowd Runs
As fear spread through the gathering, devotees began running in different directions to move away from the area.
The sudden rush reportedly caused barricades along the route to collapse. Several people fell to the ground, while others fell over them, resulting in the stampede.
A devotee who witnessed the incident described the chaotic situation.
“People panicked and started running for safety. The barricading then collapsed and people fell over one another,” the devotee said.
District Magistrate Reaches Site
The Lakhisarai district magistrate said he had been at the location since around 3.30 am.
He said the crowd suddenly increased at around 6.30 am. According to the official, authorities later learnt that several people had fallen on top of one another after the barricading along the side of a field broke.
Rescue and relief operations were subsequently launched at the site.
Death Toll May Increase
At least seven women have died in the incident, while more than 12 people have been injured.
Officials have cautioned that the number of casualties could rise as rescue operations continue and the condition of those injured is assessed.
Authorities are also examining the circumstances that led to the sudden panic and subsequent crowd crush.
Bihar Witnessed Another Temple Stampede in March
The Lakhisarai incident comes nearly five months after another fatal stampede at a temple in Bihar.
On March 31, more than 25,000 devotees had reportedly gathered at the Maghra Sheetla Temple in Nalanda on the last Tuesday of the Chaitra month.
A stampede broke out amid pushing and crowding as devotees rushed towards the temple for darshan.
Nine people were killed in that incident, including eight women.
The latest tragedy has once again brought attention to crowd management and safety arrangements at heavily attended religious gatherings.
