- At least six people have died and several others were injured in a stampede outside the Ashok Dham Temple in Bihar's Lakhisarai district on the morning of the third Monday of the month of *Sawan*.
- Two trains arrived around 6:30-6:45 am, which intensified the crowd at the temple.
- Barricading broke on one side due to crowd pressure, causing people to fall on each other.
- Administrative officials have reached the spot and are overseeing rescue efforts and crowd management.
- District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar described the crowd as 'unprecedented' during a press briefing.
- Seven casualties have been reported, with more than a dozen others injured.
- Witnesses reported that an electric wire reportedly snapped, triggering panic among the crowd.
- Chaos ensued at the temple premises as a large number of devotees had gathered for worship.
- Several injured individuals have been taken to Lakhisarai Hospital for treatment.
- Past incidents of stampedes have occurred at the Ashok Dham Temple complex, including one in August 2019.
At least seven people have died and many others were injured in a stampede at Ashokdham Temple in Bihar's Lakhisarai district on Monday morning. The incident occurred around 6.45 am as a large number of devotees gathered to offer prayers during the holy month of Shravan.
According to Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar, the chaos was triggered by an unprecedented surge of worshippers following the arrival of two trains, which led to a barricade collapse. Kumar stated, “The crowd swelled in an unprecedented manner... arrangements were made as we had anticipated the crowd.” However, the barricading broke on one side due to the pressure, causing people to fall over one another.3
Witnesses reported that an electric wire snapped, igniting panic among the crowd. One witness described the scene, stating, “There was no administration or security personnel there to manage the crowd.” Many devotees were reportedly pushing through a bamboo barricade when the stampede occurred, leading to injuries and chaos.7
Several injured individuals were taken to Lakhisarai Hospital for treatment. This tragic event is not the first of its kind at the temple; a similar incident occurred in August 2019, resulting in one death and multiple injuries.9
“District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar said two trains arriving around 6:30-6:45 am intensified the crowd, leading to a barricade collapse. A witness claimed inadequate security and described a sloping passage where people were trampled, with his own family caught in the chaos.”
