At least eight people lost their lives and several others were injured in a stampede at a temple in Bihar’s Nalanda district on Tuesday, following a sudden rush of devotees during a religious gathering.
The incident took place at the Sheetla Mata temple in Maghra village, near Bihar Sharif, where a large crowd had assembled to offer prayers on the occasion of Sheetala Ashtami. As the number of devotees increased rapidly, the situation became difficult to manage, leading to overcrowding within the temple premises.
According to initial reports, the stampede occurred when people tried to move through narrow entry and exit points at the shrine. The crowd pressure caused panic, and several devotees fell to the ground, getting trapped as others continued to push forward. The lack of space and sudden movement intensified the chaos.
Local authorities and emergency teams quickly reached the spot after receiving information about the incident. Rescue operations were carried out with the help of police and local residents. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals in Bihar Sharif, where they are undergoing treatment. Some are said to be in serious condition.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, stating that the temple was overcrowded and that crowd control arrangements were insufficient for the large turnout. Religious events at the temple often draw heavy footfall, especially on auspicious days, but locals alleged that preparations were not adequate to handle such numbers.
The Bihar government has expressed condolences to the families of the victims and announced compensation for those affected. Officials said all necessary medical assistance is being provided to the injured.
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