Chaos at Masaurhi Ravan Dahan: 4 Women Injured in Stampede-like Surge
A stampede-like situation at Patna's Masaurhi Ravan Dahan left four women injured as thousands rushed for the exit. Read the full details here.
What was meant to be a celebratory conclusion to the festivities turned into a scene of panic in Patna's Masaurhi. A Masaurhi Ravan Dahan stampede-like situation erupted on Tuesday evening, October 20, 2026, leaving four women injured as thousands of devotees and spectators rushed to exit the venue simultaneously.
Panic at the Exit Gate
The incident unfolded at Gandhi Maidan in the Masaurhi area of Patna district. Following the ceremonial burning of the Ravan effigy, a massive crowd converged toward the main exit gate. The geography of the venue played a critical role in the chaos; the ground level of the field was significantly lower than the adjacent road, creating a bottleneck effect.
As the surge of people intensified, the situation spiraled into pushing and shoving. In the frantic rush, four women were knocked down and trapped under the weight of the pressing crowd, leading to injuries.
Rescue and Medical Emergency
Local residents acted swiftly to help the fallen women, pulling them from the crowd and transporting them to the hospital for urgent care. While three of the women were discharged after receiving primary medical treatment, the condition of one victim remained precarious.
The woman, identified as Renu Devi, was reported to be in critical condition and was subsequently referred to the Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) for advanced treatment.
Administrative Response and Official Confirmation
The event had been attended by several high-profile figures and officials, including MLA Arun Manjhi, SDO Dhanraj Kumar, and SDPO Raghav Dayal. Masaurhi SDPO Raghav Dayal confirmed the occurrence of the incident, and the sub-divisional administration officially verified that four women sustained injuries during the surge.
Security vs. Crowd Management
Despite the injuries, authorities noted that extensive security arrangements had been deployed by the police and the administration. These measures allowed the officials to bring the volatile situation under control relatively quickly. However, the incident has sparked a serious debate regarding crowd management protocols, specifically the safety and design of exit points at large-scale public gatherings.
In the aftermath of the chaos, authorities have issued an appeal to the general public, urging citizens to remain calm during departures from crowded venues and to refrain from spreading rumors about the incident.