A tragic event occurred in India when a stampede broke out outside a renowned Hindu temple in Bihar state on an important religious day, killing at least seven people and injuring more than ten. The chaos followed the collapse of an electric pole and rumors of electrocution, causing panic that led to crowd barriers being broken. On the same day, a fire at a pilgrim hotel in West Bengal resulted in at least seven more deaths.
The incident happened this morning (17 Aug) outside the Ashok Dham Temple in Luckeesarai district, Bihar, as thousands of devotees gathered to chant prayers and worship Lord Shiva on the "third Monday of the month of Sawan" (Shravana), a sacred month in the Hindu calendar dedicated to Shiva worship.
Authorities reported at least seven fatalities and more than ten injuries. The injured were taken to a state hospital for treatment, while police and local officials rushed to the scene to assist and manage the situation.
Initial reports indicated that around 06:30-06:45 local time, an electric pole near the temple fell, sparking rumors that live wires had fallen onto the crowd and caused electrocution. This led to panic as people tried to flee quickly.
Officials said that at the same time, two trains arrived in the area, significantly increasing the number of pilgrims. The pressure caused one crowd barrier to collapse under the strain, leading to people falling over each other and triggering the stampede.
However, officials stated they have not yet determined the exact cause and are investigating whether anyone was electrocuted before the incident, as the fallen cable was initially reported to be a cable line, not a high-voltage electric wire.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary expressed condolences over the tragedy, ordered prompt care for the injured, and announced compensation of 400,000 Indian rupees (approximately 150,000 Thai baht) for each deceased victim's family.
Ashok Dham Temple, also known as Sri Indradamneshwar Mahadev Temple, is a sacred site housing a large Shiva lingam. It attracts many devotees, especially during the month of Sawan, when many Hindus fast, pray, and perform rituals to honor Lord Shiva.
Separately, a hotel fire occurred in Tarapith town, West Bengal state, several hundred kilometers from the Bihar stampede, on the same morning. The fire started on the ground floor of a four-story hotel while most guests were asleep.
Officials reported at least seven deaths from the fire and multiple injuries. Some victims suffered burns, while others were affected by smoke inhalation and lack of oxygen. Many guests were pilgrims who had come to Tarapith for religious ceremonies.
Investigators are examining the cause of the fire, initially suspecting it began near the reception area due to a malfunction in the hotel's electrical system.
Fatal crowd crushes occur relatively frequently in India, particularly during religious festivals drawing massive gatherings in confined spaces, where crowd control and safety measures may be insufficient.
In January last year, at least 30 people died in a crowd crush during the Kumbh Mela festival, one of the world's largest religious pilgrimages. In 2013, panic over rumors of a collapsing bridge at a Hindu festival in Madhya Pradesh caused at least 115 pilgrims to die from trampling or drowning in the river below.
/sourceNDTV/TIMES OF INDIA/AP