Bihar Temple Stampede: Grim News from Nalanda Coincides with President's Visit; Stampede at Maghra Temple Leaves Eight Dead

While the entire administrative machinery was occupied with arrangements for the President’s visit to Nalanda, grim news emerged from Bihar Sharif, a town within the district. On Tuesday, a stampede broke out amidst a massive crowd at the Mata Sheetla Ashtami shrine in Maghra, Bihar Sharif. This sudden stampede claimed the lives of eight devotees, while more than half a dozen others sustained injuries. The injured have been admitted to the Model Hospital in Bihar Sharif for treatment; the condition of several is reported to be critical.

Crowd Swells on the Last Tuesday of Chaitra

According to reports, a massive crowd of devotees had gathered at the temple since early morning, as it was the last Tuesday of the month of Chaitra. Amidst this gathering, a sudden rumor spread regarding some issue, and almost instantly, the situation escalated into a stampede. Under the pressure of the surging crowd, many people fell to the ground. In the ensuing chaos, people trampled over one another. It was only after some time, once the crowd had been brought under control, that the bodies of those crushed to death began to be recovered. Eight bodies have been sent from the scene of the incident for a post-mortem examination.

People Search for Relatives Amidst Cries of Distress

Following the incident, the scene was filled with cries of distress and panic. With the assistance of locals and the administration, the injured were immediately rushed to the hospital. Police and administrative officials arrived at the site and began working to bring the situation under control. The Nalanda Police team has initiated an investigation into the matter, and further action regarding the incident is underway. As President Droupadi Murmu was scheduled to visit Nalanda on this very day, the administrative machinery was preoccupied with making arrangements for her visit when this major tragedy unfolded. For nearly an hour after the incident, people were frantically searching for their relatives. Since the majority of the visitors had arrived with their families, there was also a significant number of children present in the crowd.