Arya News - The fatal incident reportedly took place amid a rush of devotees at a temple in India’s Bihar state.
At least six people have died, and several have been injured, in a “stampede-like” incident caused by a falling electricity pole at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai, in India’s eastern state of Bihar, according to officials.
“It is being said that an electric pole fell there and people were electrocuted, which led to a stampede-like situation,” Shivam Kumar, a senior police officer, told news agency ANI on Monday. “We can tell you the exact reason only after verifying everything.”
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At least five people were injured in the incident, a senior official told Reuters news agency, as videos from ANI showed relatives gathering in hospitals as rescuers brought in people.
“The incident at Ashok Dham in Lakhisarai is extremely tragic and heartbreaking. I am deeply distressed by the news of the devotees’ deaths in the accident,” Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary wrote on X.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families. The administration has been given necessary instructions to ensure proper and prompt treatment for the injured,” he added.
India’s history of crowd accidents includes 30 deaths at the giant Maha Kumbh festival last year , when tens of millions gathered to bathe in sacred waters.