7 killed, many injured in stampede at Bihar temple

A tragic stampede at Ashokdham Temple in Lakhisarai, Bihar claimed the lives of seven people and left many injured on Monday, according to police reports. The incident occurred due to an overwhelming surge in devotees, with emergency rescue operations initiated immediately after the news spread. The Lakhisarai District Magistrate, Shailendra Kumar, revealed that the crowd had grown to an unprecedented level, with two trains arriving around 6:30-6:45 am exacerbating the rush.

Arrangements had been made anticipating a large gathering, but the physical pressure of the crowd led to a section of the barricading giving way, causing people to fall on top of each other. Among the injured were women who pushed their way through and inadvertently contributed to the chaos. The Bihar Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary, expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families, announcing an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh for each victim's family.

The injured were taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment, while authorities remained on-site to prevent further incidents. The incident came to light when a rumor spread that a live wire had fallen, causing panic among the devotees. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh also condemned the tragic event, emphasizing the significant crowd for the Sawan festivities.