Nine killed after stampede in Jharkhand ashram

Ranchi: Nine persons, including eight women, were killed in a stampede at a religious congregation in Deoghar district on Monday.

Superintendent of Police Subodh Prasad told PTI that the stampede took place at a religious congregation.

Official sources said at least 15 people were also injured in the stampede at the prayer meeting held at ‘Satsang Ashram’ in Deoghar.

All the injured have been admitted to hospital.

According to police, thousands of people arrived to take part in Saint Thakur Anukul Chand’s 125th birth anniversary celebrations at an ashram in Deoghar district.

“During morning prayers at 5 a.m. hundreds of devotees gathered in a congested hall. More than 15 people fainted,” a police official told IANS over the telephone.

The official said, “Those who fainted were taken to hospital, where nine, including eight women, died. All the dead were above 50 years old. The other six people who fainted are under treatment.”

Police said there were volunteers to usher crowds in the hall, but they failed to manage the vast numbers of people who had gathered for morning prayers.

Agencies