Nine Dead in Stampede at Andhra’s Venkateswara Swamy Temple on Ekadashi; PM Modi, CM Naidu Express Grief

Amaravati: At least nine devotees — mostly women and children — were killed in a stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, during Ekadashi celebrations on Saturday. The tragedy occurred as an overwhelming crowd of worshippers led to chaos and panic within the temple premises.

Disturbing visuals from the site showed bodies of devotees lying on the ground while rescue teams and locals rushed to assist the injured. Earlier videos captured massive overcrowding, with hundreds of women carrying puja baskets struggling to escape the surging crowd on a narrow staircase.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently visiting Chhattisgarh, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and announced financial assistance for the victims.

“Pained by the stampede in Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the PMO quoted him as saying on X.

The Prime Minister also announced an ex gratia of ?2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of those who died and ?50,000 for the injured.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah called the incident “deeply saddening” and offered his condolences to the families of the deceased.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the stampede at the Kasibugga Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. My condolences to the families of the devotees who lost their lives. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he wrote on X.

Andhra Pradesh Governor Justice (Retd.) S. Abdul Nazeer expressed profound grief over the loss of lives and directed the district administration to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured.

“The Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Sri S. Abdul Nazeer, expressed anguish and profound grief on the death of nine pilgrims in the stampede at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Kasibugga, due to the heavy rush of devotees,” the Raj Bhavan said in a statement on X.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu described the incident as “heartbreaking” and directed officials to ensure immediate relief and treatment for the injured.

“The stampede at the Venkateswara Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, has deeply shocked me. The loss of devotees’ lives is extremely tragic. I have instructed officials to ensure prompt and proper medical care for the injured,” Naidu said in a statement.

In a separate post on X, the Chief Minister said he had asked local authorities and public representatives to visit the site and personally oversee the rescue and relief efforts.

State Minister and TDP General Secretary Nara Lokesh also expressed his sorrow, describing the tragedy as “deeply shocking.”

“The stampede at the Kasibugga Venkateswara Temple, which resulted in the death of several devotees, is a great tragedy on the day of Ekadashi. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The government is ensuring proper medical care for the injured,” he wrote on X.

Lokesh added that he had spoken with district officials, Minister Atchannaidu, and local MLA Gauthu Sirisha, instructing them to provide immediate assistance to the victims.

With inputs from IANS