A tragic incident at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai, Bihar has claimed the lives of at least seven people, with more than a dozen others injured. The disaster unfolded as large crowds of devotees gathered at the religious site during Shravan, a significant period in the Hindu calendar when worshippers traditionally make offerings to Lord Shiva.
According to law enforcement officials, the fatal crush resulted from an electrical pole collapsing within the temple grounds. The fallen pole apparently caused electrocutions among the assembled crowds, which subsequently triggered a chaotic stampede-like situation. A senior police officer stated that authorities are still conducting investigations to confirm the exact sequence of events and contributing factors.
Emergency responders transported more than a dozen injured individuals to nearby hospitals for medical care. Bihar’s Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed condolences to the affected families and stated that the administration has directed hospitals to prioritize treatment for the wounded.
This incident adds to India’s concerning pattern of crowd-related disasters at religious gatherings. The country experienced a similar tragedy at the Maha Kumbh festival the previous year, where thirty people died during mass bathing ceremonies that attracted tens of millions of pilgrims.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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