A stampede in Bihar’s Nalanda district resulted in eight fatalities and numerous injuries, prompting Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to express deep sorrow and promise compensation. The families of the deceased will receive Rs 6 lakh each, with Rs 4 lakh from the Disaster Relief Fund and Rs 2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Bihar Water Resource Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary emphasized the government’s serious approach, with the Chief Minister actively monitoring the situation.
The injured individuals are receiving necessary medical care at government expense, assured Chaudhary, who described the incident as “heart-wrenching.” Immediate relief and rescue operations were initiated, with officials instructed to provide essential aid to the victims and their families. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha also expressed grief over the tragic incident, offering condolences to the affected families and wishing a swift recovery to the injured.
The stampede occurred at the ancient Sheetla Mata Temple in Maghra village during Sheetlashtami celebrations in the month of Chaitra. Amid a large gathering of devotees, panic ensued, leading to the stampede. Eyewitnesses reported that the overcrowding and limited space within the temple premises contributed to the chaotic situation. While eight individuals, mostly women, lost their lives, many others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.
Rescue teams and local authorities promptly responded, transferring the injured to medical facilities. Ongoing relief and rescue efforts are in progress, with a focus on determining the cause of the stampede and evaluating crowd management protocols. Officials are working to confirm the exact number of casualties and ensure a comprehensive investigation into the tragic incident.
