At least nine devotees, including eight women and a young boy, lost their lives and over 25 others were injured in a tragic stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Palasa mandal of Srikakulam district, on Saturday morning.
The incident occurred when an unusually large crowd gathered at the private temple to mark Ekadashi, one of the most sacred days in Hinduism. Authorities reported that panic ensued after a railing along the staircase collapsed, causing people to fall and triggering chaos. The temple, built just four months ago, was not registered under the state endowments department and reportedly lacked official approvals for such a large gathering.
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Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences to the families of the victims and the injured, describing the incident as heartbreaking.
