Argus News - Eight Women Killed In Stampede At Sheetla Temple In Bihar's Nalanda District

Nalanda, Mar 31: At least eight women were killed and several others injured in a stampede during a religious gathering at a temple in Bihar’s Nalanda district on Tuesday, a source said.

The tragedy occurred at the Sheetla Temple when a large number of devotees assembled, leading to severe overcrowding and a sudden stampede in which several people were crushed.

Overcrowding Leads To Deadly Chaos
Eyewitness accounts and initial reports suggested that the situation spiralled out of control due to an overwhelming rush of devotees within the temple premises.

Panic spread quickly as people struggled to move in the congested space, triggering the stampede.

Rescue Operations Launched
On receiving information, police teams along with local villagers rushed to the spot and launched rescue and relief operations.

Visuals from the scene showed large crowds gathered outside the temple, as authorities worked to assist the injured and restore order.

Stampedes During Religious Events Not Uncommon
The incident adds to a series of similar tragedies reported during religious gatherings across the country.

Last year, nine devotees, mostly women and children, were killed and 13 others injured in a stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district during Ekadashi.

Also Read: Pilgrimage Bus Overturns near Daspalla, Five Dead

Officials had then attributed the incident to a sudden surge in crowd, leading to panic and chaos within the temple premises.

Safety Concerns Resurface
The latest incident has once again raised concerns over crowd management and safety arrangements at religious sites, especially during peak gatherings.

Authorities are expected to review the circumstances that led to the stampede in Nalanda.