Tragedy at Hindu Temple in India Leaves 7 Dead and 19 Injured

A panic at a Hindu temple in the Indian state of Bihar has left at least seven people dead and 19 injured.

The incident occurred at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakisharai district, where a large number of worshippers had gathered to honor the god Shiva.

Authorities said the panic began after rumors spread that an electricity pole had fallen on worshippers. People attempted to flee quickly, causing pushing within the crowd and chaos that had tragic consequences. Seven people lost their lives, while the 19 injured were taken to hospital.

According to local authorities, the situation has now been brought under control. The head of Bihar’s government described the incident as tragic and said the victims’ families would receive 400,000 rupees in compensation, an amount equivalent to around 3,600 euros.

Such incidents frequently occur in India during large religious and political gatherings, where massive crowds and inadequate security measures can have tragic consequences.

In recent months, similar incidents have caused fatalities in several Indian states. In 2024, around 120 people lost their lives during a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh.