tragically Stampede at Andhra Pradesh Temple
Kills At Least 9, Including 2 Children
At least nine people, including two children, were killed in a stampede at a temple in Andhra Pradesh, India, on Saturday morning. The temple had an unusually high number of devotees that day compared to normal. Indian media reports noted slight variations in the exact number of fatalities.
The tragedy occurred at the Venkateswara Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. It is suspected that the stampede was caused by the excessive crowds. Several others were also injured in the incident.
Details of the Incident
A police official told the Indian Express that as many devotees pushed forward at once, a railing broke, causing people to tumble and fall on top of one another. This triggered the subsequent rush and chaos. The official confirmed that the dead included two children.
Chief Minister’s Response
State Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed his deep condolences to the families of the victims and the injured.
> Naidu stated: “I have directed officials to ensure immediate and proper medical treatment for the injured. I have also requested the local administration and public representatives to visit the site and oversee the relief operations.”
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Rescue operations were still underway at the site as of Saturday afternoon (local time). The Venkateswara Temple is a large complex, spanning over 12 acres, and draws numerous pilgrims from both nearby and distant regions daily.
This incident occurs just days after a separate stampede in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu claimed the lives of 41 people.
