Seven people died in a stampede at the Ashok Dham temple in Bihar state, India, after a fallen electricity pole sparked panic.
At least seven people were killed and more than a dozen injured in a stampede at the Ashok Dham temple in the Lakhisarai district of Bihar, India. The incident occurred on Monday morning during the holy month of Shravan, as thousands of devotees gathered to offer water to the Hindu god Shiva. According to Shailendra Kumar, a civil official, a fallen electricity pole and a snapped wire sparked panic among worshippers who feared electrocution. This caused a surge of people to rush for safety, leading to a collapsed barricade and a crowd crush. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed deep distress over the tragedy and ordered the local administration to ensure prompt treatment for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences to the bereaved families. Authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the stampede.