Bihar temple stampede: At least seven killed, several injured in incident at Ashokdham Temple

Seven people were killed and several others injured in a stampede-like incident at Ashokdham Temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai on Monday after an unprecedented surge in the number of devotees, police said.

Lakhisarai SDPO Shivam Kumar confirmed the death toll to ANI, saying emergency rescue operations were launched immediately after the incident was reported.

Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar said the crowd had swelled to an unprecedented level, with two trains arriving around 6.30-6.45 am adding to the rush. He said arrangements had been made in anticipation of a large gathering.


"The crowd swelled in an unprecedented manner. Around 6.30-6.45 am, two trains arrived here, which also added to the crowd. Arrangements were made as we had anticipated the crowd," Kumar said.

He said the physical pressure of the gathering led to the mishap after a section of the barricading gave way.

"We then came to know that the barricading broke on one side due to the crowd, and people fell on each other. We rushed 10-15 people here immediately," he added.

"There were women standing in a queue. Around 10-12 women pushed their way in and started pushing us. We fell, and around 20-25 women fell on top of one another. Many fainted after getting trapped under the crowd. This happened because there was a huge rush," a devotee told PTI.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said in a social media post, "The news of the deaths of devotees in the accident has left my heart deeply distressed. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families."

Choudhary announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed in the stampede-like incident at Ashokdham Temple in Lakhisarai.

The injured were shifted to local medical facilities for treatment, while district administration and police personnel remained at the site to manage the crowd and prevent any further untoward incident.

The incident occurred due to a heavy rush of devotees at the temple to offer water to lord Shiva in the holy month of Shravan.

An investigation into the incident is underway and further details are awaited.

Bihar Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha termed the incident deeply sad and unfortunate and said that the event occurred outside the main temple premises when the pole collapsed, promising strict action against individuals responsible for spreading the live-current rumour.

"This is really sad and unfortunate. I express my sympathies to the bereaved families. I am going to the accident site...The incident occurred outside the temple premises, where there was an electric pole, and an electric wire fell. A rumour spread that live current was spreading after the wire fell and it led to a stampede. Such people (who spread the rumour) will be identified. I have also spoken to the CM. Relief work will be carried out by the Govt. Treatment of the injured ad all kinds of relief will be provided by us," he said.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh highlighted that the crowd had swelled significantly for Sawan festivities and expressed deep sympathies to the bereaved families affected by the tragic crush.

"In Lakhisarai's Ashokdham, the crowd suddenly swelled on the third Monday of Sawan. A rumour spread that a live wire or electric pole had fallen and electric current was spreading. This led to a stampede, and several people died. I express my sympathies to the bereaved families. I pray to God that the departed souls rest in peace and the bereaved families get the strength to bear this grief," he said.

Earlier, on August 12, a passenger bus travelling from Motihari towards Chhatarpur caught fire on the NH-27 Barji overbridge in Muzaffarpur at around 12.45 am.

According to Motipur Sub-Divisional Fire Officer Amrita Kumari, the fire was triggered by a short circuit in the bus. All 35 passengers were safely evacuated.