Highlights – At least 9 dead in stampede at Venkateshwara Temple in Andhra’s Kashibugga in Srikakulam district this morning
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At least nine people were killed in a stampede that broke out on Saturday morning at the Venkateswara Temple in Kashibugga in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. Several were injured.
Saturdays usually see a heavy rush of devotees, which might have led to the stampede.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said: “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.”
Rescue and relief measures are being carried out at the spot of the Andhra temple stampede. The Kashibbugga Venkateswara Temple is spread over 12 acres and is visited by devotees from far and wide.
The tragedy comes just days after a stampede killed 41 people at a political rally in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
Two children among deceased
Two children were among those who were killed in the stampede. A police officer told The Indian Express that a railing in the queue appears to have given way since many devotees were jostling for space to move ahead, causing the people to fall over one another.
Third incident in a year
The stampede at the Venkateswara Temple is the third such incident this year in the state. On April 30, seven people died and six were injured when a newly constructed rain-soaked wall at Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Simhachalam temple in Visakhapatnam collapsed. There was a heavy rush that day as it was the auspicious Akshyaya Tritaya festival. The incident occurred at the ticket counter, where a large number of people had gathered, including many who were leaning on the wall.
On January 8, six people were killed and scores injured in a stampede in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh at a counter to distribute tickets for special darshan of Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala.
