At least ten people, including two children, were killed in a stampede early Saturday at India’s Venkateshwara Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. According to press trust of India , dozens others were injured when a rush of devotees caused a railing to collapse, leading to panic and chaos at the crowded shrine.
Reports say, citing police that the stampede occurred as worshippers pushed forward in a large queue during Saturday morning rituals.
Many people were injured and some were killed by falling when an iron railing collapsed. Soon, emergency teams and local police rushed to the spot and offered first aid to the injured and admitted them in nearby hospitals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on social media platform X : “The stampede that occurred at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and family members. I pray that the injured recover quickly.”
PM Modi also announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu termed the tragedy painful and unfortunate. He instructed the officials to provide immediate medical treatment to the injured and asked the district administration and legislators to oversee the relief operations personally. He also condoled the deaths.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said the state government would provide all possible assistance to those affected. “We will ensure the best medical care for the injured and extend every kind of support to the families of the deceased,” Kalyan said. He urged temple authorities across the state to enforce strict crowd-control measures during major religious events to avoid future tragedies.
This is the third major temple-related crowd disaster in Andhra Pradesh this year. In April, seven people died and six were injured when a newly built wall collapsed at the Simhachalam Temple in Visakhapatnam during the festival of Akshaya Tritiya, when thousands had gathered for offerings.
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