A tragic incident took place today at the famous Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. On the occasion of Ekadashi, thousands of devotees gathered for the holy darshan when a sudden rush and overcrowding led to a deadly stampede. At least nine people, including several women and children, lost their lives, according to local authorities.
Eyewitnesses described the chaos as worshippers were climbing the temple steps when someone fell, triggering panic and pushing from behind. Within moments, the crowd spiraled out of control. Several people fainted or were crushed underfoot, and screams of distress filled the temple premises. Police and rescue teams rushed to the spot, and the injured were quickly taken to nearby hospitals.
Former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended condolences to the victims’ families, instructing officials to ensure proper medical aid for the injured. His son and minister Nara Lokesh also reached out to local authorities and is expected to visit the site.
Preliminary reports suggest poor crowd management and inadequate safety arrangements were key causes of the disaster. Experts emphasize that during major religious festivals, proper security planning and crowd control are crucial to prevent such tragedies.
The Kasibugga temple stampede once again serves as a painful reminder that faith and devotion must always be accompanied by effective safety measures.
