Seven devotees died and 25 others were injured in a stampede at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai, Bihar, on the third Monday of the Sawan month, according to the district administration. The tragedy was triggered by a rumour about an electric current spreading from a fallen pole, which set off a panic-driven rush among the large gathering of pilgrims.

The Deceased and Injured

The district administration has identified all seven deceased as Manmala Devi, Rinku Devi, Hemlata Devi, Lalita Devi, Savita Devi, Saroj Devi, and Savitri Devi. A complete list of the 25 injured has also been released, including Renu Devi, Ragini Kumari, Moni Kumari, Vimla Devi, Reena Kumari, Muskan Kumari, Sandhya Kumari, Khusi Kumari, Pinki Kumari, Kanti Devi, Amerika Devi, Luto Devi, Rampari Devi, Mamata Devi, Kumkum Devi, Shivani Kumari, Gunjan Kumari, Mausham Kumari, Kamla Devi, Tuptup Kumari, Tannu Kumari, Anita Devi, and Gayatri Devi.

How the Stampede Unfolded

According to the administration, a rumour that a fallen electric pole had caused live current to spread through the crowd triggered sudden, uncontrolled movement among the dense gathering of Sawan pilgrims. The resulting crush left seven dead and dozens injured. Of the 25 injured, three are reported to be in critical condition and were referred from Lakhisarai Sadar Hospital to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for advanced care. The remaining injured are being treated at hospitals across the district.

Compensation and Government Response

The district administration announced an ex gratia compensation of ₹4 lakh to the next of kin of each of the seven deceased, disbursed through cheques. Officials extended condolences to the bereaved families and assured that all injured devotees will receive adequate medical care. The administration has also appealed to the public to refrain from spreading or believing rumours in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Inquiry Ordered into Stampede Circumstances

An inquiry team has been constituted by the district administration to examine the sequence of events that led to the stampede. Investigators are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the fallen electric pole, the origin and spread of the electricity-related rumour, and the subsequent crowd movement. Notably, large Sawan gatherings at temples across Bihar have historically strained crowd-management infrastructure, and this incident underscores the recurring challenge of managing mass pilgrimages at smaller district-level shrines. The findings of the inquiry are expected to inform future crowd-control measures at such events.