Bihar temple stampede: 8 women dead in Nalanda, probe ordered

Eight women died and several others were injured in a stampede during a religious gathering on Tuesday at the Sheetla Temple in Bihar’s Nalanda district.

The stampede occurred after a large number of devotees assembled at the temple for worship, leading to overcrowding inside the premises. Several people were crushed in the rush.

Police personnel and local villagers reached the spot after being alerted and began rescue and relief operations. Visuals from the site showed heavy crowding within the temple complex.

The Bihar government has ordered a probe into the incident and directed the Chief Secretary to carry out a detailed investigation. Instructions have also been issued to ensure proper medical treatment for those injured, while officials have been asked to restore normalcy at the temple at the earliest, reported India Today.

The Patna Commissioner has been deputed to Bihar Sharif to monitor the situation.

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed condolences over the incident on X, describing it as “extremely heartbreaking.” He said the government is extending all possible assistance and relief to the affected families and has made arrangements for the treatment of the injured.

“The tragic stampede incident at the Mata Sheetla 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,” Choudhary said in a post on X.

“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.

Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu is in Nalanda on Tuesday and is scheduled to visit the nearby Nalanda ruins, located a short distance from the temple where the incident took place.

At the time of the stampede, senior administrative officials in Nalanda were engaged in preparations related to the President’s programme.