At least seven dead in stampede-like incident at India's Ashok Dham temple
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At least seven people died and more than a dozen were injured in a stampede-like incident at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai district, Bihar, on Monday. Local officials said a falling electricity pole triggered panic among devotees gathered for the Hindu holy month of Shravan; police said the exact cause would be established only after verification.
Key Facts
- Senior police officer Shivam Kumar said an electric pole fell at the temple, leading to electrocution and a stampede-like situation.
- Civil official Shailendra Kumar said more than a dozen people were taken to hospital for treatment.
- A senior official said at least five people were injured in the incident.
- Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary called the incident "extremely tragic and heartbreaking" and directed the administration to ensure prompt treatment for the injured.
- India's crowd accident history includes 30 deaths at the Maha Kumbh festival last year.
The Ashok Dham Incident
The incident occurred at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai district, Bihar, on Monday amid a rush of devotees offering water to the Hindu god Shiva during the holy month of Shravan. Senior police officer Shivam Kumar said an electric pole fell at the temple and people were electrocuted, leading to a stampede-like situation. Civil official Shailendra Kumar said more than a dozen people were taken to hospital, and television showed relatives gathering in hospitals as rescuers brought in people on stretchers. A senior official said at least five people were injured in the incident. Police said the exact cause would be established only after verification.
Official Response and Crowd Safety
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary called the incident "extremely tragic and heartbreaking" and expressed deep distress over the devotees' deaths. Choudhary offered condolences to the bereaved families and said the administration had been instructed to ensure proper and prompt treatment for the injured. India's history of crowd accidents includes 30 deaths at the Maha Kumbh festival last year, when tens of millions gathered to bathe in sacred waters.
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At least seven dead in stampede-like incident at India's Ashok Dham temple
