A tragic stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district left at least 10 devotees dead and several others injured on Saturday. The incident occurred during the Ekadashi celebrations when a massive crowd surged inside the temple premises.
Disturbing visuals from the site showed people fainting, trapped in narrow passages, and others rushing to help them amid chaos and panic. Authorities fear the death toll may rise as many injured are in critical condition.
Devotees Tried to Save the Unconscious
Videos circulating online showed devotees performing CPR on people who fainted during the stampede. Some were seen carrying others to safety, while a few tried to clear the way in the congested passage. Women holding puja baskets were seen screaming for help as panic spread across the temple grounds.
#WATCH | Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh: 9 people lost their lives, several were injured after a stampede occurred at Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam
The incident occurred as a large crowd gathered at the temple on the occasion of Ekadashi. The heavy rush of devotees led to… pic.twitter.com/dHt9txyjXN
— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2025
Witnesses said that the situation spiraled out of control within minutes after devotees started pushing forward during the rush for darshan. Police and temple authorities rushed to the spot to manage the crowd and shift the injured to nearby hospitals.
PM Modi and Andhra CM React to the Tragedy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He said, “I am pained by the stampede and offer condolences to those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover soon.”
He also announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each from the PMNRF for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said, “The stampede incident at the Venkateswara Temple in Kashibugga in Srikakulam district has caused a shock. The death of devotees in this tragic incident is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.”
Political Blame Game Follows the Tragedy
The incident has triggered a political row in the state. Former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy blamed the Naidu government for the lack of crowd control and safety measures.
“This repeated loss of innocent lives reflects the inefficiency of Chandrababu Naidu’s administration,” Reddy said, as quoted by ANI.
He recalled previous tragedies at temples during his statement, urging the government to take “serious corrective measures” to prevent such incidents in the future.
Investigation Underway
Local authorities have launched an inquiry into the cause of the stampede. Officials are reviewing security footage and crowd management protocols to identify lapses. The government has promised to provide all possible assistance to the victims and their families.
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