Three people were killed and at least 10 others injured in a stampede which broke out in Bihar’s Begusarai district on Saturday morning.
The incident took place while a huge crowd was moving towards Simaria ghat on the banks of the Ganga to take holy dip on the occasion of Kartik Purnima.
Authorities confirmed that the three persons killed were women aged above 80 years. The identity of the deceased was yet to be ascertained. Sources said the death toll might go up. The wounded have been rushed to hospitals for treatment.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the family members of the deceased. Expressing his grief over the incident, the CM also announced that free medical assistance would be given to those involved in the mishap.
Begusarai SP Aditya Kumar said the three women died due to suffocation in the huge crowd while they were moving towards the ghat. “The deceased were of very old age and perhaps died due to suffocation amid the huge crowd,” the SP said.
Contrary to this, Sadar SDPO Mithilesh Kumar said the three women died due to cold after taking bath in the river.
