NEW DELHI, Aug 17: President Droupadi Murmu on Monday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a stampede near the Ashok Dham temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district and offered condolences to the families of the victims.
At least seven people were killed and 14 others injured in the incident, according to officials.
Reacting to the tragedy, Murmu described the deaths of devotees as “extremely painful” and conveyed her sympathies to those who lost their loved ones.
In a post on X in Hindi, the President said she was deeply saddened by the incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of those undergoing treatment.
The stampede occurred near the temple in Lakhisarai on Monday, where devotees had gathered in large numbers. The incident resulted in casualties and injuries, prompting authorities to respond to the situation.
Officials confirmed that 14 people sustained injuries in the incident. The injured were taken for medical treatment, while authorities began assessing the circumstances that led to the stampede.
The tragedy has drawn attention to the need for effective crowd management and adequate safety arrangements at religious gatherings, particularly during periods when large numbers of devotees converge at places of worship.
The President’s message came as families mourned the deaths and those injured received medical care.
Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and assess whether additional crowd control measures are required to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
