Seven killed in stampede at Bihar’s Ashokdham Temple

At least seven devotees were killed and over a dozen injured in a stampede at the Ashokdham Temple in Lakhisarai, Bihar, early on Monday morning. The incident occurred between 6.30 and 6.45 am during the third auspicious Monday of the month of Shravan, when a large crowd had gathered to offer prayers to Lord Shiva.

According to Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar, two trains arrived at the Lakhisarai railway station at the same time, causing an unprecedented surge. A bamboo barricade broke under the pressure, triggering the stampede. SDPO Shivam Kumar told ANI that an electric pole had also fallen, leading to electrocutions, though the exact cause is still under investigation. The Hindu reports that most of the deceased were women. Injured devotees were taken to the Sadar government hospital.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ordered proper treatment for the injured. District officials and police remained at the site to manage the crowd.