At least six dead in ‘stampede-like’ incident at India temple

KUALA LUMPUR, 17 AUGUST 2026 —

At least six people have died and several have been injured in a "stampede-like" incident at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai, Bihar, India, according to officials.

Shivam Kumar, a senior police officer, stated that the exact reason for the incident can only be confirmed after verifying all details.

The incident occurred during the holy month of Shravan, when devotees gather to offer water to the Hindu god Shiva. The Press Trust of India news agency reported that a large number of devotees were present at the temple, leading to a rush that may have contributed to the incident.

India has a history of crowd accidents, including a recent incident at the Maha Kumbh festival last year, where 30 people died when tens of millions gathered to bathe in sacred waters. The country's dense population and frequent large-scale gatherings can sometimes lead to tragic incidents like this.

The current incident has sparked an outpouring of condolences from officials, including Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who expressed his distress and heartbreak over the news of the devotees' deaths. He has instructed the administration to ensure proper and prompt treatment for the injured. The incident has also led to a gathering of relatives at hospitals, where rescuers have been bringing in people for treatment.

At least five people were injured in the incident, according to a senior official. Videos from the scene showed the chaos and devastation caused by the incident, with people rushing to help the injured and the deceased.

In Malaysia, the incident may not have a direct impact on the local market, but it serves as a reminder of the importance of crowd control and safety measures during large-scale gatherings. The Malaysian government and event organizers may take note of the incident and review their own safety protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring.

However, it is likely that the incident will be closely monitored by local authorities, who may use it as an opportunity to review and improve their own crowd management strategies.

The incident at the Ashok Dham temple has highlighted the need for effective crowd management and safety measures during large-scale gatherings. In India, the government and event organizers have been working to improve safety protocols and prevent such incidents from occurring. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of these incidents and prevent them from happening in the future.

The Indian government has announced plans to investigate the incident and take necessary actions to prevent similar incidents from occurring. The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the role of the falling electricity pole and the response of the authorities.

The outlook for the future is that the Indian government and event organizers will need to work together to improve safety protocols and prevent similar incidents from occurring. This may involve implementing new safety measures, such as improved crowd control systems and emergency response plans. The government may also need to invest in infrastructure, such as upgrading electricity poles and other facilities, to prevent accidents like this from happening in the future.

In Malaysia, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of crowd safety and the need for effective safety protocols during large-scale gatherings. The Malaysian government and event organizers will likely take note of the incident and review their own safety protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring.