A deadly stampede occurred at a temple in India
A tragedy occurred in the Indian state of Bihar while worshippers were at the Ashok Dham temple. At least six people were killed, and five others were injured; the preliminary cause of the panic may have been the collapse of an electrical pole. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances of the tragedy.
The incident occurred on Monday, August 17, at the Ashok Dham temple in the Lakhisaray district of the state of Bihar in eastern India. At the time, many worshippers were inside the temple celebrating a month sacred to Hindus. According to preliminary reports, the falling power pole may have caused people to be electrocuted.
Panic then broke out among those present. People tried to leave the dangerous area as quickly as possible, leading to a situation resembling a stampede. At least six people were killed. Another five were injured and taken to hospitals. However, the number of victims may change. The Times of India, citing a police statement, reported seven fatalities. Authorities are currently verifying this information and determining the exact number of casualties.
Police are investigating the cause of the tragedy
Senior Police Officer Shivam Kumar told the ANI news agency that the preliminary cause of the incident may have been the collapse of a power pole. “It is said that a power pole fell there, and people were electrocuted, leading to a situation similar to a stampede,” he said.
VIDEO | Bihar: Stampede-like situation at Ashok Dham Temple in Lakhisarai; several injured.
A devotee says, “There were women standing in a line. About 10–12 women pushed their way in and started shoving us. We fell, and about 20–25 women fell on top of one another. Many…” pic.twitter.com/ecaqF5VeQj— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 17, 2026
At the same time, a law enforcement official emphasized that no final conclusions have been reached yet. “We will be able to tell you the exact cause only after reviewing all the details,” Kumar said. Thus, it is currently unknown whether all the victims died as a result of the stampede or if some may have died from electric shock.
Relatives Gathered at Hospitals
After the tragedy, the injured began to be transported to medical facilities. Local TV stations showed footage from hospitals where relatives were waiting for information about their loved ones. Rescuers carried the injured on stretchers.
Medical personnel provided care to those injured during the incident. Little information is currently available about their condition. Local authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the incident.
India has seen large-scale tragedies caused by crowds in the past
This is not the first time tragedies involving large crowds have occurred at religious celebrations in India. One of the most devastating incidents occurred last year during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival. Tens of millions of people gathered there, having traveled to sacred sites to bathe in the river waters.
VIDEO | At least seven people were killed and 14 others were injured in a stampede near the Ashok Dham temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district.
The incident occurred due to a heavy rush of devotees at the Ashok Dham railway station, which is a short walk from the temple. The… pic.twitter.com/2pCN9EmrvX— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 17, 2026
At least 30 people died during the festival. A stampede also broke out among the huge crowd of pilgrims at that time. The current tragedy at the Ashok Dham temple is significantly smaller in scale, but it has once again drawn attention to safety concerns during mass religious gatherings. Law enforcement and local authorities must determine what exactly caused the pole to fall, whether people were electrocuted, and exactly how events unfolded afterward. This is reported by Reuters.
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