Stampede at a Hindu temple in India’s Bihar state leaves 7 dead and over a dozen injured

A tragic stampede occurred at a Hindu temple in Bihar state, India, on Monday, resulting in seven deaths and over a dozen injuries, according to officials. The incident took place at Ashok Dham Temple in Lakhisarai district during a time when thousands of devotees gathered to worship Lord Shiva, one of the most significant months in the Hindu calendar.

The cause of the panic was an electric wire that snapped outside the temple premises, spurring worshippers to flee and resulting in a crushing crowd. Around 14 people were taken to a nearby government hospital for treatment. The exact reason for the stampede is still under investigation. Crowd crushes are a common occurrence during religious festivals in India, where millions of people gather in confined spaces with limited safety measures.

Previous incidents include a stampede in January that claimed the lives of at least 30 people during the Maha Kumbh festival, and a similar tragedy in 2013 at a temple in Madhya Pradesh where 115 people died or drowned in the river below due to panic.