6 killed in stampede

Six people were killed and two dozen injured in a stampede at a Banka temple on Saturday evening. The toll may go up with at least four people being in a critical condition.

The incident occurred around 6.30 pm at Tildiha temple under Shambhuganj police station when thousands of devotees lined up with their goats to make offerings to the deity,Tildiha Mata,started breaking the queue after standing in it for a long time. There were over 40,000 people at the temple,which has an outer space to accommodate barely 5,000 people.

We have confirmation of only four deaths. We have sent extra police deployment to manage devotees at the temple, said Bihar DGP Neelmani.