Earlier Tragedies

1. Simhachalam wall collapse killed seven devotees, injuring others during temple rush.
2. Tirupati stampede left six dead, forty injured amid Vaikunta Darshan crowd.
3. Kurnool bus fire killed nineteen passengers in a tragic highway accident.
4. Cyclone Montha caused massive damage, inflicting Rs 5,244 crore loss statewide.

A day of devotion turned into tragedy on Saturday as a massive crowd surge led to a deadly stampede at the Sri Vijaya Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district. At least nine devotees, including eight women and a child, were killed, and 13 others were injured in the mishap that occurred during the Ekadashi celebrations at the temple.

According to preliminary reports, thousands of devotees thronged the hilltop temple from early morning to offer prayers. Around noon, chaos erupted when a metal railing on the staircase leading to the first floor of the shrine collapsed. Devotees lost balance and fell over each other, triggering a stampede. Several people fainted, and many sustained injuries from the crush.

District officials said that the victims were rushed to nearby hospitals in Kasibugga and Palasa, where three are said to be in critical condition.

Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said the tragedy occurred because of overcrowding beyond the temple’s capacity. “Normally, around 1,500 to 2,000 devotees visit the temple every week. But today, being Ekadashi, nearly 15,000 people gathered. The railing gave way as devotees tried to climb up simultaneously,” she said.

The minister described the deaths as deeply painful and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the incident. She said that initial reports indicated the temple was privately managed and not under the control of the Endowments Department.

Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy clarified that the temple was built and managed privately by a person named Harimukund Panda, who constructed the shrine four years ago on 12 acres of his own land with an estimated investment of Rs. 20 crore.

“This is not a government or endowments department temple. The management failed to anticipate the heavy crowd and did not alert the authorities or police. The temple can hold only 2,000 to 3,000 people, but around 25,000 arrived today. This negligence directly led to the tragedy,” the minister said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and announced Rs. 2 lakh ex gratia for each of the deceased’s families. “My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” the PM said in a statement.