Electric pole falls inside Bihar temple, triggering stampede — at least six dead

At least six people were killed and several others injured after an electric pole fell inside a Hindu temple in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, triggering panic and a stampede among worshippers, authorities said.

The incident took place at the Ashok Dam temple in Lakhisarai district while devotees had gathered to observe the holy month of Shravan and to offer water to the god Shiva.

Preliminary findings and response

Local police officials said preliminary information indicates an electric power pole collapsed inside the temple complex, and that some worshippers were struck by electric shock, which led to chaotic scenes and people rushing for the exits. Shivam Kumar, one of the senior police officers at the scene, described the situation as similar to a stampede.

"More than a dozen people were taken to hospital for treatment," said civil official Shaylendra Kumar.

Video footage released by news agencies shows relatives gathering at hospitals while rescuers carry wounded people into emergency care. Samrat Chaudhary, the chief minister of Bihar, wrote on X: "The incident at Ashok Dam in Lakhisarai is extremely tragic and shocking. I am deeply shaken by the news of the deaths of devotees in the accident." He said officials had been ordered to ensure timely and proper treatment for the injured.

Large religious gatherings in India have previously seen deadly accidents: last year about 30 people died during the Maha Kumbh festival, where millions gather, and there have been other fatal crowd crushes including one at a New Delhi railway station in which 18 people died.

Photo: Wikimedia / Guddu Chauhan Official