Seven Killed in Stampede-Like Incident at Bihar Temple

New Delhi, Aug 17: Seven people were killed and several others injured in a stampede-like incident at Ashokdham Temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district early Monday, police said.

The incident occurred around 6.30-6.45 am when a large number of devotees had gathered at the temple on Shravan’s Somvaar, which typically draws heavy crowds at Shiva temples.

Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar said the crowd swelled unexpectedly, with two trains arriving in the area around the same time, further adding to the rush. Despite arrangements made in anticipation of the crowd, the pressure caused barricading on one side to give way, resulting in people falling over one another.

SDPO Shivam Kumar said seven casualties had been reported. He said there was also information that an electric pole had fallen, possibly leading to electrocution and triggering the stampede-like situation. Officials said the exact cause would be established after verification.

Several injured people were shifted to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Police and district administration officials were deployed at the site to control the crowd and prevent further incidents.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed.

In a separate incident in Muzaffarpur on August 12, a passenger bus carrying 35 people caught fire on the NH-27 Barji overbridge. The passengers were safely evacuated, and officials attributed the blaze to a short circuit. (Agencies)