Tragic Stampede at Srikakulam Temple: Ekadashi Rush Claims Multiple Lives

A day of auspicious observance turned into a catastrophe in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, as a stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga claimed the lives of several devotees. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday morning amid an overwhelming rush of pilgrims gathering to mark the sacred day of Ekadashi.

Overcrowding Leads to Fatal Crush

The stampede took place as a massive crowd converged on the temple premises. Ekadashi, a day dedicated to Lord Vishnu, witnesses an exceptionally high turnout of devotees, and the sheer volume of pilgrims at the Kasibugga shrine quickly surpassed the available infrastructure’s capacity. Initial reports and a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office indicate that the heavy rush of devotees led to severe overcrowding and chaos, culminating in the deadly crush.

Multiple casualties have been reported, with the death toll currently placed between seven and ten, and numerous other devotees sustained injuries. Disturbing visuals from the scene show the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, with victims lying on the ground. Police and emergency services swiftly arrived to manage the situation, initiate rescue operations, and ensure the injured were immediately transferred to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention. Authorities fear the death toll could potentially rise as some of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.

Minister Visits Site; High-Level Inquiry Ordered

In the wake of the tragedy, State Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu immediately rushed to the accident site. The Minister met with temple authorities and local officials to assess the situation and coordinate the ongoing relief and rescue efforts. Additional police personnel have been deployed to the temple premises to help manage the crowd and maintain order.

The tragic loss of life has prompted immediate response from the state leadership. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed profound shock and grief over the incident, describing the loss of lives as “extremely heartbreaking.” The Chief Minister conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and issued directives to officials, stressing the importance of providing speedy and proper medical treatment for all the injured. He has also requested local officials and public representatives to personally visit the site and oversee the relief measures being implemented.

The state government is expected to launch a detailed inquiry into the stampede to ascertain the exact sequence of events and identify any lapses in crowd management protocols that may have contributed to the disaster. This incident underscores the critical need for robust planning and effective crowd control mechanisms at religious sites, especially during major festivals, to prevent such devastating human tragedies in the future.