Seven killed in stampede at Bihar temple as Modi offers condolences VIDEO

At least seven devotees were killed and more than a dozen injured in a stampede at Ashok Dham Temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district on August 17.

The incident occurred in the morning as thousands of devotees gathered at the temple to offer prayers and perform Jalabhishek to Lord Shiva on the third Monday of the holy Sawan month, Caliber.Az reports, citing Indian media.

Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar said the queue of devotees had stretched as far as Ashok Dham Halt, where two trains had stopped. An electric pole near the queue for male devotees suddenly fell, he added.

A rumour then spread that a live wire had fallen on people, although the fallen cable was not carrying electricity. The panic caused pressure in the women’s queue on the opposite side, resulting in several people falling over one another.

According to the district magistrate, the incident unfolded within about two minutes. Ambulances and police personnel were already stationed around 200 metres from the site, allowing the injured to be quickly taken to Sadar Hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the victims’ families.

"Pained by the loss of lives due to a stampede in Lakhisarai, Bihar. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. May the injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is assisting those affected," PM Modi remarked.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the stampede and provide assistance to those affected.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov