At least seven devotees were killed and many others injured in a stampede outside the Ashok Dham Temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district on Monday morning.
Officials said panic may have been triggered by rumours that a live electric wire had fallen into the crowd after an electric pole collapsed, reports NDTV.
The tragedy occurred amid a heavy rush of worshippers gathered at the temple on the third Monday of the holy month of Sawan. Rescue teams and police rushed to the site, moving the injured to nearby hospitals.
Calling the incident “extremely tragic,” Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary directed the administration to ensure prompt medical care and announced financial assistance of Rs4 lakh for each victim’s family.
District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar said an unprecedented surge of devotees, intensified by the arrival of two trains around 6.30–6.45am, led to a barricade collapse outside the temple.
“Suddenly, an electric pole fell near the men’s queue. A rumour spread that a live wire had fallen, though it was only a cable. Panic then pressed into the women’s queue, and people fell on each other. It all happened within two minutes,” he said.
Sub‑divisional Police Officer Shivam Kumar told ANI that preliminary reports suggest electrocution fears triggered the stampede. “Seven casualties have been reported. The exact cause will be confirmed after verification,” he said.
The Ashok Dham Temple, also known as Shri Indradamaneshwar Mahadev Temple, houses a large Shivalinga and attracts thousands of devotees during Sawan.
