Bihar Lakhisarai Temple Stampede Latest News:Â A tragic stampede took place at the Ashok Dham Temple complex in Lakhisarai, Bihar, during a period of heavy devotee turnout on Monday (August 17). According to reports, at least six people have died in this incident, while many others have been injured. Government officials have begun the process of relief while the details surrounding the tragedy and those of the injured and killed are still being verified.
Bihar Lakhisarai Temple Stampede Latest News: What Happened At The Lakhisarai Temple?
The incident reportedly occurred when a large number of devotees gathered at the temple, and crowd pressure intensified near the entrance. Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar said arrangements had been made anticipating a significant turnout, but the gathering became “unprecedented.” According to the district administration, a section of the barricading could not withstand the pressure of the crowd and gave way. As people lost their balance, several devotees fell over one another, triggering panic and a stampede-like situation.
How Did The Barricading Collapse?
The District Magistrate said the administration learned that the barricading had broken on one side because of the heavy crowd. Officials immediately moved people to the affected area and rushed around 10-15 people for assistance. A witness, while speaking with an official media outlet, claimed that around 100 people pushed through the barricades near the temple entrance. He said the passage was sloping and that devotees were attempting to move through a bamboo barricade when pressure from people behind caused it to collapse. The witness alleged that there were not enough security personnel or crowd-management arrangements at the spot when the situation spiralled out of control.
What Did Eyewitnesses Say About The Stampede?
According to the witness, people began falling after the barricade gave way, while others continued to push forward amid the confusion. He claimed that some of those who fell were trampled by people trying to escape or enter the temple. The witness also described the personal impact of the tragedy, saying his wife was caught in the crowd and that he could not immediately find his daughter following the incident.
Bihar Lakhisarai Temple Stampede Latest News: Similar Stampede IncidentÂ
There was yet another incident in the temple in 2019, when 1 devotee died, and about 15 were injured during the month of Shravan. The latest tragedy once again raises issues concerning the safety arrangements and crowd control in the temple during the peak time when hundreds of devotees visit. The reports indicate that around six people have lost their lives and many were injured in this incident. The authorities are trying to control the situation, help the affected people, and clarify the chain of events.
