Six dead in stampede-like incident at Bihar temple
Officials in India’s Bihar state are investigating a fatal crowd incident at the Ashok Dham temple, where a falling electricity pole reportedly triggered a stampede-like situation during religious observances.
At least six people have died and five others were injured following a stampede-like incident at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai, Bihar, according to state officials. The chaos unfolded during the holy month of Shravan, a period when devotees gather to offer water to the Hindu god Shiva.
Senior police officer Shivam Kumar told the news agency ANI that the disturbance was reportedly triggered by infrastructure failure. “It is being said that an electric pole fell there and people were electrocuted, which led to a stampede-like situation,” Kumar said. He cautioned that authorities could only confirm the precise sequence of events after completing a full verification of the scene.
The incident occurred as crowds rushed to the temple for religious rites. Videos circulated by ANI showed relatives gathering at local hospitals as rescuers transported the injured. A senior official confirmed to Reuters that five individuals sustained injuries in the incident.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed distress over the tragedy, stating on X that he had issued immediate instructions for the administration to ensure proper and prompt treatment for those harmed. “My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families,” Choudhary wrote, describing the event as extremely tragic and heartbreaking.
The event recalls previous crowd disasters in India, including 30 deaths at the Maha Kumbh festival last year, where tens of millions gathered to bathe in sacred waters. Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the collapse and the subsequent crowd movement.
