A tragic stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh has left at least nine devotees dead and several others injured. The incident occurred on Saturday morning, during Ekadashi celebrations, when a massive crowd of devotees gathered at the temple premises, leading to chaos and overcrowding.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the heavy rush of devotees caused an overcrowding situation, which soon escalated into a stampede. Disturbing visuals from the scene showed devotees lying motionless on the temple grounds as others scrambled for help amid the confusion.

Nine Devotees Feared Dead, Rescue Operations Underway

As per initial reports, nine devotees lost their lives, while several others sustained serious injuries. Rescue and relief operations began immediately after the incident, with police teams and emergency personnel rushing to the spot to bring the situation under control.

The injured were swiftly shifted to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention. Authorities have stated that the death toll may rise, as some of the injured are in critical condition.

CM Chandrababu Naidu Condoles Loss of Lives

Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu described the tragedy as “extremely heartbreaking.” Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:

“The stampede incident at the Venkateswara Temple in Kashibugga in Srikakulam district has caused a shock. The death of devotees in this tragic incident is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. I have instructed the officials to provide speedy and proper treatment to those who have been injured. I have requested the local officials and public representatives to visit the site of the incident and oversee the relief measures.”

The Chief Minister further directed district authorities and public representatives to personally visit the site, monitor rescue operations, and ensure that all possible medical and administrative support is extended to the victims’ families.

State Minister K Atchannaidu Visits the Site

State Agriculture Minister K Atchannaidu rushed to the accident site immediately after receiving news of the tragedy. He held discussions with temple authorities to collect information about how the incident unfolded and reviewed the rescue and medical arrangements on the ground.

Following the incident, additional police forces were deployed around the temple premises to manage the crowd and prevent further chaos.

What Triggered the Deadly Stampede at Srikakulam Temple?

Preliminary information from the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office indicates that the stampede was triggered by a sudden surge of devotees attempting to enter the temple premises for Ekadashi darshan.

The CMO’s statement read:

“A stampede took place at the Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, leaving several people injured. The incident occurred as a large crowd gathered at the temple on the occasion of Ekadashi. The heavy rush of devotees led to overcrowding, resulting in a sudden stampede.”

Witnesses reported that the temple area became densely packed early in the morning, and as more devotees tried to move toward the sanctum, panic broke out. Within moments, the crowd surge led to devotees being trampled, causing multiple casualties and injuries.

Police, Emergency Services, and Administration on Alert

Following the chaos, police teams were immediately deployed to restore order and assist in rescue operations. Emergency medical services and local hospitals were placed on high alert to accommodate the influx of injured devotees.

Officials have confirmed that rescue operations are still underway, with authorities ensuring that medical aid and psychological support are provided to the victims and their families.

Naidu Government Ensures Relief and Support

Chief Minister Naidu reiterated his government’s commitment to providing all necessary assistance to the affected families. “I have instructed officials to provide speedy and proper treatment to those who have been injured,” he emphasized in his message.

Local leaders and administrative officials have also been directed to oversee the relief measures and ensure that the bereaved families receive compensation and support.

A Somber Day for Devotees in Andhra Pradesh

The Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, one of the prominent spiritual centers in Srikakulam district, typically attracts thousands of devotees during major Hindu festivals, especially Ekadashi. However, this year’s celebrations turned tragic as the religious gathering became a scene of panic and loss.

The incident has sparked widespread grief across the state, with many expressing condolences and calling for improved crowd management systems at major temples during festivals.

Authorities Investigating Cause, Preventive Steps Likely

Authorities are now investigating the exact cause of the stampede, including whether safety and crowd-control measures were adequately implemented. Officials hinted that standard operating procedures (SOPs) for managing large religious gatherings might be reviewed to prevent such incidents in the future.

As Andhra Pradesh mourns the loss of innocent lives, the government has assured full-scale support to those affected.

(This is a developing story.)

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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