A tragic stampede occurred at the Venkateshwar Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Andhra Pradesh, resulting in at least 10 deaths and more than a dozen injuries. The incident took place during the Ekadashi festival, when the temple was crowded with devotees. The exact cause of the stampede is still unclear, and there are concerns that the death toll could rise further.

Incident Details and Initial Reports

The incident occurred in Kasibugga, located in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, where thousands had gathered to celebrate the Ekadashi festival. The temple, known for its religious significance, saw an unusually large crowd that day. Eyewitness reports suggest that the stampede started when devotees struggled to move due to overcrowding. As a result, multiple people were either trampled or fell due to the chaos, leading to fatalities and injuries.

The reports highlight that the railings on the stairs of the temple broke, causing people to lose balance while climbing. This led to a chain reaction, where individuals fell and others were crushed under them. Authorities have not confirmed the exact sequence of events, but this incident has left the region in shock.

Official Reactions and Efforts to Manage the Situation

In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his condolences for the loss of lives. He called the incident “deeply unfortunate” and offered his sympathies to the families of the victims. Naidu further instructed the officials to ensure that the injured received immediate medical attention.

The local administration swiftly took action, with the Agriculture Minister of the state arriving at the scene. After assessing the situation, he directed the police to initiate relief and rescue operations. Several injured individuals were immediately transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Social Media Videos Show Devastation

Disturbing videos from the scene of the incident have surfaced on social media, showing the chaotic aftermath of the stampede. In the footage, women and children can be seen lying unconscious on the ground. Some devotees were seen trying to administer CPR to the fallen individuals in an attempt to save them. Additionally, worship items were scattered all over the floor, further adding to the scene of confusion and devastation.

Temple’s History and Visitor Numbers

The Venkateshwar Swamy Temple is a private religious site, and it is not under the jurisdiction of the state’s Endowment Department. Despite this, the temple attracts a large number of devotees, with between 1,500 and 2,000 people visiting every Saturday. The temple is located on the first floor of a building, and it seems the overcrowding combined with structural failures led to the tragic accident.

The incident has drawn attention to the need for better crowd management, especially during religious festivals when large numbers of people gather in small spaces.

Authorities and Rescue Operations

Local authorities, along with police forces, have been working tirelessly to manage the aftermath of the incident. Relief teams were deployed to help victims, while the situation was quickly brought under control. The State Police and emergency response teams have been praised for their swift actions, which helped prevent the situation from escalating further.

The temple management and local administration have promised a full investigation into the causes of the stampede. They have also expressed a commitment to improving safety protocols for future events at the temple.

As of now, the situation at the Venkateshwar Swamy Temple has been stabilized, and the injured are receiving medical care. However, the tragic incident has raised significant concerns about safety at places of worship with large crowds. Authorities have vowed to prevent such incidents in the future by implementing better safety measures and crowd control systems. The investigation into the stampede continues, and further updates are awaited.