Many devotees were killed and several others injured in a stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, during Ekadashi celebrations, officials said.
Hyderabad: A tragic stampede occurred on Saturday morning at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga town, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, claiming the lives of at least 10 devotees and injuring several others, who were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
According to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the stampede was triggered by overcrowding as a large crowd gathered at the temple for the Ekadashi celebrations. The sudden surge of devotees created chaos within the temple premises, leading to panic and the fatal incident.
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Police and emergency responders were deployed swiftly to manage the situation and assist with rescue operations. State Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu arrived at the temple shortly after the incident to coordinate with authorities and oversee relief efforts.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep shock over the tragedy, calling the loss of lives “extremely heartbreaking.” He extended condolences to the families of the deceased and instructed officials to provide speedy medical care for the injured. He also requested local authorities and public representatives to visit the site personally to monitor relief measures.
The stampede unfolded as devotees gathered in large numbers for the Ekadashi festival, a significant religious observance in the region. Early reports indicate that the heavy influx of devotees caused overcrowding, which triggered a sudden surge and panic, ultimately resulting in deaths and injuries. Rescue operations were carried out immediately, with visuals from the site showing devotees lying on the ground following the incident. Additional police personnel were deployed to maintain order and prevent further chaos.
The temple, a prominent religious site in Srikakulam, regularly attracts large gatherings during festivals. The Andhra Pradesh government has launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the stampede and plans to review crowd management protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Authorities emphasised the need for rapid response, care for the injured, and continuous monitoring of relief efforts at the site. The incident has also raised concerns about safety and crowd management during major religious events in the state, prompting calls for stricter measures ahead of future festivals.
Published: 01 Nov 2025, 01:06 pm IST
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