Bihar: In a tragic incident early Monday morning, seven people, including three women, lost their lives in a stampede at the Siddheshwarnath Temple in Jehanabad, Bihar. The incident, which also left 35 others injured, occurred around 1 a.m. at the Vanavar hill in Makhdumpur block.
The stampede took place on the fourth Monday of the holy month of Sawan, a time when temple attendance typically surges. Eyewitnesses reported that devotees had been gathering at the temple since Sunday night. The sudden rush of people trying to save themselves led to many falling on the temple premises, resulting in serious injuries.
Local authorities quickly responded to the crisis, rushing the injured to hospitals in Makhdumpur and Jehanabad for treatment.
Previous Incidents
This incident follows a series of similar tragedies at religious sites across India. Just last month, on July 2, a stampede in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras claimed over 120 lives during a congregation led by Baba Narayan Hari, also known as 'Bhole Baba'. Overcrowding was cited as a primary factor in that incident.
Stampedes at religious gatherings in India have a history of causing significant loss of life. Notable past incidents include:
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2005: Over 340 devotees died at Maharashtra's Mandhardevi temple.
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2008: At least 250 people were killed at Rajasthan's Chamunda Devi temple.
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2008: 162 lives were lost at a gathering at Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh.
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2023: Durga Pooja celebration in Bihar: Stampede claims lives of three, leaving several others injured
As investigations into the Jehanabad incident begin, questions are likely to arise about crowd management and safety measures at religious sites, especially during peak pilgrimage seasons.
For more on India's deadliest stampedes, read: List of India's deadliest stampedes & effective crowd control tips
VIDEO | Seven dead and 50 feared injured as a stampede occurred at a temple of Bihar's Jehanabad after a fight broke between flower seller and people.
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/dv5TRARJn4) pic.twitter.com/psJSERP7ra— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 12, 2024
Authorities urge devotees to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines when attending large gatherings. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the potential dangers of overcrowding at popular religious sites.
Inputs by Agencies
Image Source: Multiple Agencies
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