NALANDA: In a heartbreaking incident, at least eight women have died, and several others sustained injuries following a stampede at the Maa Sheetla Temple in Nalanda, Bihar, during a religious gathering on Tuesday. The stampede was triggered by an overwhelming crowd, leaving many individuals without space to move inside the temple. Witnesses noted that the heat and the early morning fasting contributed to the tragedy, leading to fainting and low blood pressure among attendees.

As the chaos unfolded, frustrations grew with the delayed response of emergency services. "The ambulance arrived very late. Why was the ambulance not made available immediately?" lamented a person at the hospital. Eyewitness accounts detailed the harrowing experience of separation in the crowd, with one woman reflecting, "People were trampled on."

The incident occurred at the same time President Droupadi Murmu was in Nalanda, where she planned to visit the historic Nalanda ruins, not far from the temple. In response to the tragedy, local police and residents rushed to the site to assist with relief efforts.

The Bihar government has reacted swiftly, instructing Chief Secretary to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stampede. They pledged to ensure proper medical care for those injured and will work toward restoring order at the temple as quickly as possible. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed his condolences via social media, stating, "The tragic stampede incident at the Mata Sheetla Temple in Nalanda is extremely heartbreaking. I express my condolences to the families of all the devotees who lost their lives and were injured in this accident."

This devastating event not only highlights the risks inherent in large public gatherings but also raises questions about crowd management and emergency preparedness in such scenarios.