India Temple stampede leaves 7 dead, dozens injured

NEW DELHI: A crowded morning of worship turned tragic at the Ashok Dham Temple in India’s Bihar state on Monday after a stampede-like incident killed at least seven devotees and injured more than a dozen others.

The incident occurred in Lakhisarai district as thousands of worshippers gathered at the temple on the third Monday of the Hindu month of Sawan. Local reports said the crowd surged suddenly, creating panic outside the shrine.

Officials said the arrival of two trains between around 6:30am and 6:45am sharply increased the number of people near the temple. The sudden rush reportedly caused a barricade to break, leaving people falling over one another.

Initial reports also suggested that an electrical pole or wire may have fallen, triggering panic among worshippers. Authorities have yet to establish the exact sequence of events, and an investigation is underway.

Emergency teams and district officials rushed to the scene after the incident. Several injured people were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while authorities worked to restore order and manage the remaining crowds.

The tragedy has renewed concerns about crowd-control arrangements at major religious gatherings in India, where large numbers of devotees often converge at temples during important festivals.

Officials said rescue and relief operations were continuing, while authorities were monitoring the situation around the temple.

The incident comes as religious sites across the region experience heavy attendance during the Sawan season, highlighting the importance of effective crowd management, emergency access and safe movement routes.