Patna, March 31, KNT: At least eight people, mostly women, were killed and several others injured in a stampede at a temple in Bihar’s Nalanda district on Tuesday, officials said.
The incident occurred at the Sheetla Mata temple in Maghra village during a religious gathering, where a large number of devotees had assembled for prayers.
Officials said the stampede was triggered by a sudden surge in the crowd, leading to panic and chaos inside the temple premises.
Police and local administration rushed to the spot soon after the incident, launching rescue and evacuation operations.
The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment, while authorities began efforts to restore order in the area.
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According to initial reports, the victims were crushed during the rush as devotees attempted to move through congested sections of the temple complex.
Authorities said the exact cause of the stampede is under investigation, with officials examining crowd control arrangements and safety measures in place at the time.
Senior officials have been directed to oversee relief operations, while a detailed probe has been ordered into the incident.
Eyewitnesses said the situation deteriorated rapidly as the crowd swelled during the prayers.
“There was a sudden rush and people started pushing. It became impossible to move,” a local resident said.
Stampedes at religious sites in India are often linked to overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and panic triggered by sudden movement within large gatherings.
The latest incident adds to a series of such tragedies in recent years, prompting repeated calls for stricter crowd management protocols at major religious events.
Authorities said further details are awaited as rescue operations continue and the injured receive treatment. [KNT]
