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At least 14 killed in temple stampede and hotel fire in eastern India
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- A stampede at Ashok Dham Temple in Bihar during the holy month of Shravan killed seven people and injured more than a dozen, possibly triggered by a snapped electric wire causing panic among devotees.
- The crowd surge led to barricades collapsing and a crush as people tried to escape, with many victims hospitalized for injuries.
- Earlier on the same day, a fire at a hotel in Tarapith, West Bengal, where many pilgrims were staying, resulted in at least seven deaths and several critical injuries, likely caused by an electrical fault near the reception area.
- Both incidents highlight the risks of crowd management and safety during large religious gatherings in India, where such tragedies have occurred repeatedly during major festivals.
- Authorities are investigating both the stampede and the fire to determine exact causes and prevent future occurrences.
