Lakhisarai, August 17: Seven devotees lost their lives and 14 others sustained injuries in a morning stampede near the Ashok Dham temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district.
The tragedy occurred around 6.30 am near the Ashok Dham halt railway station when an overwhelming surge of pilgrims caused a section of barricades to give way under the intense pressure, leading to a fatal domino effect as people fell over one another.
“Seven devotees died and 14 were injured in the stampede near Ashok Dham halt railway station in Lakhisarai on Monday morning,” stated Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar. He affirmed that rescue work began immediately and the injured were rushed to nearby facilities while authorities work to ascertain the identities of those affected.
Pilgrims had gathered at the location in vast numbers to participate in holy Shravan month rituals and offer water to Lord Shiva, creating heavy congestion on the short walk between the railway station and the shrine.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, announcing an ex gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin for each deceased victim.
“The incident at Ashok Dham in Lakhisarai is tragic and heartbreaking. It has deeply saddened me,” declared the Chief Minister, adding that necessary instructions have been issued to the administration to ensure proper and prompt medical care for the injured.
