Eight people died and at least 12 were injured when a number of worshippers crowded into the Sheetla Mata temple in Nalanda, Bihar, set off a stampede while they were praying on Tuesday. The stampede took place within the jurisdiction of Deepnagar Police Station, which had set up an enormous number of worshippers at this very popular religious facility. According to witnesses, eight women were among those killed in this incident.
The stampede coincided with the last Tuesday of the Chaitra month, which is the highest in numbers at the temple of worship among all thirteen of the months. Due to the panic that resulted from the stampede, many devotees were caught up in the stampede before they could escape as the stampede grew in size.
Rita Devi, 50, and Rekha Devi, 45, both of whom are from Mathurapur Noorsarai, have been identified as two of the deceased. They and the other worshippers who sustained injuries were taken to a local hospital for urgent treatment and were being referred to a larger facility for more intensive care.
As a result of this tragedy, the temple facility and the associated fair will be closed temporarily.
The Chief Secretary of Bihar, Pratyaya Amrit, has directed that an investigation be carried out by the Divisional Commissioner for Patna and the Range Inspector General into this situation and that they submit a full report.