Eight women were killed and several others sustained injuries in a stampede during a religious gathering at Shitala Temple in Bihar’s Nalanda district on Tuesday. The incident happened as a large number of devotees gathered for worship, which resulted in severe overcrowding. Further investigation, as ordered by the Bihar government, is underway.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Deepnagar police station in-charge Rajmani was suspended, as the Bihar government ordered an investigation and tasked the chief secretary with ensuring medical care for the injured.
“According to information received thus far, this unfortunate incident has resulted in the deaths of eight devotees and injuries to eight others,” the police said.
At least eight women died in the stampede at Shitala Mata Temple on Tuesday morning. Police personnel and officials of the district administration have reached the spot, and the rescue work is on,” Bihar Sharif Assistant Superintendent of Police Noorul Haque said.
Doleful visuals from the scene demonstrate a large crowd gathered in the temple in a condition described as havoc. As the incident occurred, police officials and local villagers rushed to the spot and launched relief and rescue operations.
According to eyewitnesses, the temple sees a surge in devotees every Tuesday, including visitors from Patna, with several attributing the incident to lapses in management. “Nobody wanted to stand in a queue, and everyone tried to have darshan first. Being the last Tuesday of Chaitra, the rush was even higher,” an eyewitness said.
Ex Gratia Announced
Following the tragedy, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex gratia of Rs. 6 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives. This includes Rs 4 lakh from the Disaster Management Department and 2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Expressing grief over the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for each deceased’s family and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
“The mishap in Nalanda district, Bihar, is deeply painful. I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, taking to social media platform X, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said it. “The tragic stampede incident at the Mata Shitala Temple in Nalanda is extremely heartbreaking. I express my condolences to the families of all the devotees who lost their lives and were injured in this accident.”
“The government is providing every possible assistance and relief to the affected families. Arrangements have been made for the proper treatment of the injured. May God grant peace to the departed souls and provide strength to the grieving families during this hour of sorrow. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured,” he added.
Minister Deepak Prakash, while talking to media outlets, said, “It is a very tragic incident. The administration is fully alert and prepared. All necessary relief measures will be taken, and proper arrangements will be made for those affected.”
A similar incident occurred last year at Sri Venkateswar Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh, which claimed the lives of nine devotees, including women and children, and 14 others were injured. The incident occurred as a massive crowd gathered in the Kasibugga area of the Srikakulam district in a temple.
