"Uncontrollable Crowd": 7 Killed, Many Injured In Stampede At Bihar Temple

At least seven devotees were killed and several others injured in a stampede outside the Ashok Dham Temple in Bihar's Lakhisarai district on Monday, with officials giving differing accounts of the cause, including a barricade collapse amid a sudden surge of devotees and reports of electrocution after an electric pole fell at the site.

The incident triggered chaos at the temple premises as a large number of devotees had gathered for worship on the morning of the third Monday of the month of Sawan.

#BREAKING | 6 Killed, many injured in stampede at temple in Bihar's Lakhisarai https://t.co/Ih8KUA1IYU

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Following the incident, officials and police teams reached the spot and began rescue efforts, while the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for medical care.

Calling the incident extremely tragic, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said the administration had been directed to ensure proper and prompt treatment for the injured.

लखीसराय के अशोकधाम की घटना अत्यंत दुःखद एवं हृदयविदारक है।

हादसे में श्रद्धालुओं की मृत्यु की खबर से मन व्यथित है। शोक संतप्त परिवारों के प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएं हैं।

घायलों के समुचित एवं त्वरित इलाज के लिए प्रशासन को आवश्यक निर्देश दिए गए हैं। ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्माओं को शांति…

— Samrat Choudhary (@samrat4bjp) August 17, 2026

While speaking with reporters, Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar said that an unprecedented surge of devotees, intensified by the arrival of two trains around 6.30-6.45 am, led to a barricade collapse outside the temple.

"The crowd swelled in an unprecedented manner. Around 6.30-6.45 am, two trains came here that too added to the crowd. Arrangements were made as we had anticipated the crowd. We then came to know that barricading broke on one side due to the crowd  and people fell on each other. We rushed 10-15 people here immediately," Kumar said.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer Shivam Kumar told news agency ANI that preliminary reports suggest an electric pole fell at the site, causing electrocution and triggering a stampede-like situation. 

He said the exact cause of the incident would be ascertained only after a thorough verification of the facts.

He said, "Seven casualties have been reported. It is being said that an electric pole fell there and people were electrocuted, which led to a stampede-like situation. We can tell you the exact reason only after verifying everything."

The Ashok Dham Temple is also known as the Shri Indradamaneshwar Mahadev Temple. It houses a large Shivalinga. The temple attracts a large number of devotees, particularly during the holy month of Sawan.