Kathmandu— At least six people died and several were injured Monday in a “stampede-like” incident at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai, Bihar, eastern India, after an electric pole fell amidst a large gathering of worshippers, officials said. The incident occurred as devotees offered water to the Hindu god Shiva during the holy month of Shravan, resulting in chaos and multiple casualties. Authorities are investigating the exact cause but believe electrocution from the fallen pole contributed to the panic.

Incident Details

The fatal incident unfolded amid a rush of devotees at the Ashok Dham temple. Senior police officer Shivam Kumar told news agency ANI that preliminary reports suggest an electric pole collapsed, potentially causing electrocutions and subsequently triggering a stampede-like situation. “It is being said that an electric pole fell there and people were electrocuted, which led to a stampede-like situation,” he stated, adding that a full investigation is underway to determine the precise sequence of events.

Government Response

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed deep distress over the tragedy. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Choudhary described the incident as “extremely tragic and heartbreaking” and extended his condolences to the families of those killed. He confirmed that instructions had been issued to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured.

Recent History of Crowd Disasters

India has a history of deadly crowd-related accidents at large religious gatherings. Last year, thirty people died during the Maha Kumbh festival, where tens of millions gathered for ritual bathing in sacred waters. The recurring nature of these incidents raises concerns about safety measures and crowd management at major events.

At least five individuals sustained injuries in the incident, with relatives gathering at hospitals as rescue workers arrived with those affected. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse and the resulting chaos.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.