On the ninth day of Navratri, three including women and a 5-year-old child were killed and over ten people were injured in a stampede at a crowded pandal in Durga Puja celebrations in Bihars Gopalganj late Monday evening.3 died, over 10 injured in stampede at Durga Puja pandal in BiharThe stampede broke out at the Raja Dal Durga Puja pandal during Maha Navami celebrations and revelry, said the police.Bihar | Three people including two women and a child were killed during a stampede in a puja pandal in Gopalganj. The magistrate and police force are present at the spot: Gopalganj Police pic.twitter.com/Bc5YM0RGtZ— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2023According to the police, the injured people were immediately rushed to Sadar Hospital. Reportedly, there was no security deployment at the pandal to manage crowds, which led to the stampede.Official statementsSpeaking to news agency ANI, Gopalganj SP Nawal Kishor Choudhary said, “There was a stampede near the gate of Raja Dal Puja Pandal around 8.30 pm. A child fell to the ground and was trampled upon as the revellers ran helter-skelter. Two women rushed to the childs rescue but also ended up being trampled upon by the crowds. The women gasped for air and succumbed while being rushed to a hospital. The local magistrate and a police team arrived at the spot and took control of the situation.#WATCH | Bihar: Gopalganj District Magistrate Nawal Kishor Choudhary says, There are several pandals in the state as it is Durga Navami today. A child fell due to the crowd at the pandal and two women trying to save him also fell and could not get up...They died while they were… pic.twitter.com/jC8NGV8KwR— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2023The accident happened due to excessive crowding at the gate of the Puja pandal, the police added.Further details are awaited.
