Seven killed in stampede-like incident at Bihar temple

NEW DELHI: Seven people were killed and several others injured in a stampede-like incident at Ashokdham Temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai on early Monday, as news agency ANI quoted Bihar police.

The incident took place as a large crowd had gathered at the temple, officials said. It also took place on Shravan’s Somvaar, a day that typically draws large numbers of devotees to Shiva temples.

SDPO Shivam Kumar told ANI, "Seven casualties have been reported. It is being said that an electric pole fell there and people were electrocuted, which led to a stampede-like situation. We can tell you the exact reason only after verifying everything."

Lakhisarai DM Shailendra Kumar said, "The crowd swelled in an unprecedented manner. Around 6.30-6.45 am, two trains came here that too added to the crowd. Arrangements were made as we had anticipated the crowd."

Explaining how the incident unfolded, the DM said the sheer pressure of the crowd caused one side of the barricading to give 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.

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

Bihar CM Samrat 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.

Earlier incident in Muzaffarpur In a separate incident on August 12, a passenger bus travelling from Motihari towards Chhatarpur caught fire on the NH-27 Barji overbridge in Muzaffarpur around 12.45 am. Sub-Divisional Fire Officer of Motipur Amrita Kumari said the fire was caused by a short circuit. All 35 passengers were safely evacuated.