At least 15 Hindu devotees die in two separate incidents in eastern India. In West Bengal, a fire at a hotel in Tarapith kills eight people on Monday, as pilgrims travel for Shiva worship during the holy month of Shravan. In neighbouring Bihar, seven people die in a stampede at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai district.
Authorities say the Shravan pilgrimage period draws large crowds. In Bihar, the stampede starts after rumours spread that an electric pole has fallen onto devotees inside the temple premises, according to the district magistrate. Nineteen others are reported injured in the stampede. The cause of the West Bengal hotel fire is not immediately known. West Bengal’s chief minister expresses grief for the families affected in a statement, while Bihar’s chief minister comments on the incident.
The outlets report the same overall death toll and location details, with fuller reporting on Bihar’s trigger for the stampede and the personal response from state officials.
