7 killed in Bihar temple stampede, 10th such tragedy in 24 months

Seven people died in a stampede at Ashok Dham Temple in Bihar's Lakhisarai district on the third Monday of Sawan, Times Now and Telangana Today report. An estimated 50,000 devotees had gathered. The crush occurred near Ashok Dham Halt railway station after two trains offloaded pilgrims into an already packed queue. A barricade reportedly gave way, and rumours of a live fallen electric pole triggered panic. All injured were women.

The incident is the 10th deadly crowd tragedy in India in 24 months, according to a Times Now timeline. Other recent disasters include 41 deaths at a Vijay rally in Karur in September 2025, 11 at an RCB IPL celebration in Bengaluru in June 2025, 37 at the Maha Kumbh in January 2025, and 121 at a religious gathering in Hathras in July 2024. Telangana Today argues these are not acts of fate but predictable failures of planning, noting that the NDMA has detailed guidelines for mass gatherings that are often ignored.

A judicial inquiry has been ordered in several past cases, including the Karur stampede. For the Bihar tragedy, compensation has been announced and a probe is expected.