A deadly stampede broke out at a Hindu temple in eastern India’s Bihar state Monday (Aug 17).
Seven people were killed and more than a dozen injured in the stampede, police said.
Stampede may have been caused by snapped wire
The incident in Bihar 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 colorful monsoon festivals across India.
More than a dozen people were taken to a government hospital for treatment, said Mr. Shailendra Kumar, a civil official. Mr. Shailendra said the cause of the stampede was still being investigated.
According to preliminary reports, an electric wire snapped outside the temple premises around 6.30am (9.30am SGT), sparking panic as devotees rushed to escape what they feared was a risk of electrocution.
A section of the barricades collapsed under the weight of the surging crowd, leading to a crush in which people fell over one another, said Mr. Shailendra, according to the Press Trust of India news agency. ASSOCIATED PRESS
