7 Devotees Killed, Dozen Injured in Stampede at Bihar’s Ashok Dham Temple

At least seven devotees were killed and around a dozen others injured in a stampede at the Ashok Dham temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district on Monday, August 17, amid a heavy rush of pilgrims, officials said.

The incident occurred on the third auspicious Monday of the Hindu month of Shrawan, when large numbers of devotees had gathered at the temple to offer sacred water to Lord Shiva.

What Triggered the Stampede at Ashok Dham Temple?

According to an eyewitness, two trains carrying devotees had arrived at Lakhisarai railway station, following which a large crowd, comprising mostly women, moved towards the temple.

The situation reportedly turned chaotic after a bamboo barricade broke and an electric pole snapped at the site, triggering panic among the devotees and leading to a stampede.

 Rescue Operations and Crowd Safety Concerns

Several people were injured in the incident and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Authorities launched rescue and relief operations at the temple premises.

Officials are assessing the situation and reviewing crowd-management arrangements as authorities work to determine the exact circumstances that led to the stampede.

The incident has once again raised concerns over crowd control and safety arrangements at religious sites during major festivals and auspicious occasions, when large numbers of devotees gather within a short period.