A sudden stampede-like situation unfolded at Gandhi Maidan in Masaurhi, within the Patna district of Bihar, shortly after the conclusion of the traditional Ravana effigy burning ceremony. Yesterday late evening, as the festival programme drew to an end, attendees rushed in large numbers to head back to their homes. The sudden collective surge toward the ground's primary exit gate created intense crowding, leading several women walking at the front to slip and fall onto the ground. As the incoming crowd from behind pressed forward, chaos spread rapidly. Four women sustained injuries in the incident, with one victim, Renu Devi, being transferred to the Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) due to her serious condition, while the three other injured women were permitted to return home after receiving first-aid care.
Severe Bottle-neck at the Primary Exit
Masaurhi Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Raghav Dayal confirmed the chain of events and shared operational details regarding the gathering. An estimated crowd of 15,000 to 20,000 local residents had converged at the venue to witness the Ravana killing ceremony. To maintain public order and safety, the police administration had established a three-tier security cordon alongside the deployment of magistrates across the site. Initial findings indicate that right after the burning concluded, people attempted a rapid departure through the main gate. During this movement, some individuals slipped on footwear and tumbled to the ground, triggering an immediate and unmanageable surge from the masses following directly behind.
Scattered Footwear and Frantic Search for Family Members
Eyewitnesses recounted that as soon as the effigies were consumed by flames, thousands made a simultaneous move toward the exits. Amid the sudden pressure, women near the gate lost their footing and collapsed, with the momentum of the moving crowd coming down directly upon them. Panic gripped the venue within seconds. Scattered footwear of women, men, and children littered the ground near the gate and out onto the adjoining street. In the ensuing commotion, worried family members could be seen desperately scouring the area to locate lost relatives and separated companions.
Local Youth Step In for Immediate Evacuation
In the crucial minutes following the incident, local youths took charge of immediate rescue efforts. These young volunteers quickly pulled out women trapped within the crowd and moved weeping, distressed children to safety. Dense crowding and severe road congestion initially prevented ambulances from smoothly navigating their way directly to the scene. Recognising the urgency, several young men placed the injured women onto their personal scooters and sped off to the nearest medical clinic for immediate treatment.
Upon being alerted about the incident, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Dhanraj Kumar and SDPO Raghav Dayal reached the venue without delay. Coordinating with local youths, the officers systematically managed the crowd flow, cleared the blockages, and brought the situation back under control. The rapid response of local residents coupled with prompt administrative action prevented what could have escalated into a far more devastating catastrophe.
