Stampede at Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh on Ekadashi; 10 Devotees Killed, Several Injured

A tragic incident has shaken Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district, where a massive stampede occurred at the famous Venkateswara Swamy Temple during the auspicious occasion of Ekadashi. What began as a day of devotion turned into chaos within minutes — leaving at least 10 devotees dead and several others seriously injured.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and ordered a high-level inquiry. The incident has once again raised serious questions about the lack of crowd management and safety arrangements during major religious gatherings.

According to officials, thousands of devotees had gathered at the temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam, on Saturday morning. Around 11:30 a.m., panic broke out near the main entrance of the temple as devotees pushed to enter for darshan. The railings gave way, and within moments, people were crushed and trampled amid the chaos.

DSP Lakshman Rao confirmed that 10 people died on the spot, while many others were injured — including women and children. The injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals, and their condition is being closely monitored by the authorities.

Following the tragedy, local police and district administration immediately launched rescue operations. A large number of police personnel have been deployed at the site to control the situation. State Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu also reached the temple and held discussions with the temple authorities.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his condolences on social media, stating,

“The stampede at Venkateswara Temple Kasibugga is deeply saddening. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I have directed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured.”

Several disturbing videos from the site have gone viral, showing overcrowded temple steps, broken railings, and devotees falling over each other. Eyewitnesses reported that the crowd was so dense it became difficult to breathe, and many elderly devotees lost balance in the chaos.

Meanwhile, the opposition has slammed the government over the incident, questioning how such a tragedy could occur despite prior knowledge of the massive footfall expected during Ekadashi. “Where was the crowd control plan? Why were safety measures inadequate?” they asked.

The atmosphere in the area remains grim as families mourn their loved ones. The temple administration has appealed to devotees to stay calm and not believe in rumors, assuring that necessary measures are being taken.

This tragedy on such a sacred occasion has left an entire community in shock. The big question now is could this disaster have been prevented with better crowd management?

Khabar 24 Express will continue to follow this story closely. Stay tuned for verified updates. Subscribe to our portal and turn on notifications to get the latest breaking news first.

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us

Save