Arya News - The incident occurred on August 17 at the Ashok Dham temple in Bihar state’s Lakhisarai district, where a massive crowd had gathered to pay homage to the Hindu deity Shiva.
NEW DELHI – Seven devotees were killed and more than a dozen others injured after panic tore through packed queues near Ashok Dham Temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai early Monday, turning the third Monday of Sawan into a deadly tragedy.
The morning crowd had stretched towards Ashok Dham Halt, where two trains had stopped. Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar said a pole near the devotees’ queue then fell, and a rumour spread that a live wire had come down on people. According to his account, it was a cable wire. The panic that followed unfolded within about two minutes.
The Bihar government later announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each for the immediate dependants of those killed. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed grief over the deaths and said the administration had been instructed to ensure prompt treatment for the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mourned the loss of lives.
“Pained by the loss of lives due to a stampede in Lakhisarai, Bihar,” PM Modi said. He conveyed condolences to the bereaved families, wished the injured a quick recovery, and said the local administration was assisting those affected.
What triggered the Ashok Dham stampede?
Officials have pointed to several factors in the sudden build-up to the crush.
Kumar said the number of devotees had risen sharply between around 6.30 am and 7 am. Two trains stopping at Ashok Dham Halt added to the crowd as queues stretched towards the railway station.
He also said barricading gave way on one side amid the pressure.
Another account given by the District Magistrate focused on the fallen pole near the men’s queue. A rumour then circulated that a live electric wire had fallen on devotees.
Kumar said the wire was actually a cable. Panic nevertheless spread through the gathering, and pressure shifted towards the women’s queue, where devotees began falling over one another.
Reports immediately after the tragedy differed on whether the fallen pole, broken barricading or the sudden crowd surge was the immediate trigger. Authorities were continuing to ascertain the precise sequence of events.
Locals and other pilgrims joined rescue efforts before police and administrative teams reached the affected area. The injured were taken to Sadar Hospital in Lakhisarai for treatment.
Four of those who died were identified as Manmala Devi, 44, of Barahiya in Lakhisarai; Rinku Devi, 50, of Farda in Munger; Hemlata Devi, 55, of Kaindi Pratappur in Lakhisarai; and Lalita Devi of Pratappur in Lakhisarai. Three other victims had not been identified in the material available at the time of filing.
Bihar announces Rs 4 lakh aid, probe into deadly stampede
Choudhary said the state government stood with the families of those killed and announced ₹4 lakh each for their immediate dependants.
Bihar minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said the incident would be investigated and action taken against those found responsible.
“It is very tragic and unfortunate,” Sinha said. He said officials and temple authorities had been contacted and medical arrangements were being given priority.
Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi said a high-level inquiry had been ordered and that treatment of the injured was being ensured. Saraogi’s current position as the party’s Bihar chief is confirmed by the BJP.
PM Modi mourns deaths; Tejashwi Yadav targets crowd management
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary described the tragedy as “extremely tragic and heart-wrenching” and offered condolences to the families of the victims. His current designation as Bihar Chief Minister is confirmed by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav criticised the safety and crowd-management arrangements at the temple and blamed what he called administrative mismanagement by the NDA government.
Yadav sought compensation for the families of those killed and proper treatment for the injured. The Bihar Assembly currently lists Tejashwi Prasad Yadav as Leader of Opposition.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and Union ministers Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Chirag Paswan were among other political leaders who expressed grief over the deaths and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Rajnath Singh’s Defence portfolio and the Union ministerial positions of Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Chirag Paswan are confirmed in the Union Council of Ministers list dated June 23, 2026.
Ashok Dham is a prominent Shiva shrine in Lakhisarai and draws large numbers of devotees during Sawan. The tragedy occurred as pilgrims gathered for Jalabhishek on the third Monday of the holy month.
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Seven killed, 19 injured in stampede at temple in India’s Bihar