Seven devotees were killed and more than a dozen others injured in a stampede at the Ashok Dham Temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district on Monday morning after a snapped electric wire reportedly triggered panic among the crowd. The incident occurred at around 6.45 am as thousands of worshippers gathered at the Shiva temple to offer prayers on the third Monday of the holy month of Shravan.
As the falling wire sparked immediate fear, a massive crush broke out on the temple grounds. Scores of devotees were caught in the panic, with the injured subsequently rushed to Lakhisarai Hospital for emergency treatment. Addressing the tragedy, Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar stated that while safety arrangements were in place for a large turnout, the size of the crowd proved unprecedented. He explained that a section of the bamboo barricading collapsed under immense pressure, causing people to fall over one another on the sloping passage.
Eyewitnesses reported a severe lack of security personnel and crowd management near the entrance, claiming that an estimated 100 people attempted to force their way through the barriers. As those at the back pushed forward, the structure gave way, resulting in victims being trampled in the chaos. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary described the incident as extremely tragic and heart-wrenching, extending his condolences to the bereaved families and directing local authorities to ensure prompt medical care for all the injured. The site has seen similar tragedies in the past, including an August 2019 stampede during Shravan that left one devotee dead and 15 others injured.
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