Additional Coverage:
Tragedy Strikes Indian Temple: Nine Dead in Crowd Surge
Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh – A sacred day turned tragic Saturday at the Swamy Venkateswara Temple in southern India, where a crowd surge claimed the lives of at least nine individuals and left dozens injured. The incident occurred in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh state as hundreds of devotees gathered to observe “Ekadashi,” a significant Hindu holy day.
According to senior police officer K. V.
Maheswra Reddy, initial investigations point to a broken iron grille, intended to manage the queue of worshippers, as the catalyst for the uncontrolled surge. On Ekadashi, devotees typically fast and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu, a prominent Hindu deity.
Local government official Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar confirmed the rising casualty count, stating, “Initially, we had reports of seven deaths, but two more people have succumbed to their injuries while the condition of two others is critical.” Of the deceased, eight were women and one was a child. Sixteen injured devotees are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital, while an additional 20 are under observation at a different facility, described as being in a state of shock.
Disturbing video footage circulating on local media showed individuals rushing to assist those who had fainted or were gasping for breath amidst the chaos. Some were seen gently rubbing the hands of those who had fallen to the ground.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh’s highest-elected official, N. Chandrababu Naidu, both expressed their profound grief and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
State authorities revealed that the temple, a private establishment spanning 12 acres, was not under government control. Despite a maximum capacity of 3,000, the crowd on Saturday reportedly swelled to an estimated 25,000.
“Arrangements were not made accordingly, nor was information provided to the government by the concerned individual. This is the reason for the accident,” stated the state’s fact-check unit in a social media release.
Local media reports indicate that Naidu has vowed strict action against those deemed responsible for the fatal stampede and has ordered a thorough inquiry into the incident.
Crowd surges at religious gatherings are a recurring issue in India, where large congregations at temples and pilgrimage sites can frequently overwhelm existing infrastructure and security protocols. Just last July, a similar incident at a popular Hindu temple in northern India resulted in six deaths and numerous injuries.