7 die in Indian temple stampede after electric wire snaps

A deadly stampede broke out at a Hindu temple in eastern India’s Bihar state on Monday after a snapped electric wire reportedly triggered panic among worshippers, officials said, killing seven people and injuring more than a dozen.

The incident occurred near Ashok Dham Temple in Lakhisarai district, as thousands of devotees gathered to offer prayers on the third Monday of Shravan, one of the holiest months in the Hindu calendar.

The period, which usually falls between July and August, is dedicated to the worship of Hindu god Lord Shiva and is marked by fasting, prayers and colourful monsoon festivals across India.

More than a dozen people were taken to a government hospital for treatment, said Shailendra Kumar, a civil official. Kumar said the cause of the stampede was still being investigated.

A section of the barricades collapsed under the weight of the surging crowd, leading to a crush in which people fell over one another, he told the Press Trust of India news agency. “The situation is under control now.”

According to preliminary reports, an electric wire snapped outside the temple premises around 6.30am, sparking panic as devotees rushed to escape what they feared was a risk of electrocution.