A day of spiritual devotion turned into tragedy in Andhra Pradesh as a stampede at the Venkateswara Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, left at least 10 people dead on the auspicious occasion of Ekadashi on Saturday.
#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
The victims of the tragic crush included eight women and two children, among others, while more than 25 people were rushed to the hospital.
The stampede unfolded around the temple, which is situated on the first floor and has about 20 steps to climb from ground level to reach it.
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Anitha said that on a normal Saturday, the temple would see 1,500 to 2,000 devotees, but on this day, as it was Ekadashi, that number was massively inflated.
Why Did This Stampede Happen?
The sudden, heavy rush caused a lot of pushing and shoving; as a result, a portion of the railing collapsed. When the barrier gave way, a frightening crush occurred when the surging crowd trapped and trampled the devotees beneath.
VIDEO | Andhra Pradesh: Stampede reported at Venkateswara Temple in Kashibugga in Srikakulam district; several devotees injured, rushed to hospital. More details are awaited.
(Source: Third Party)#AndhraPradesh pic.twitter.com/dOJxEI4JHC
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 1, 2025
Witnesses Describe Unimaginable Tragedy
Eyewitness accounts describe a harrowing scene when the stampede broke out. Videos from the site show a dense, chaotic mass of people, with screams for help echoing through the premises.
Local residents and emergency personnel were seen desperately pulling out women and children who were caught in the crowd. Unconscious women were seen lying scattered at the site, with people striving to rescue victims by pulling them out by their hands and feet.
Andhra Pradesh: PM Modi announces Rs. 2 lakh ex-gratia for victims of Venkateswara Swamy Temple stampede
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/wSPQn6yMx2#PMModi #TempleStampede #ExGratia pic.twitter.com/trRiVBA6FP
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) November 1, 2025
Also Read: Nine Killed, Several Injured in Stampede at Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh
Inquiry of the Incident
The state government has ordered an inquiry into the incident to determine the lapses in crowd management and to fix responsibility for the collapse of the poorly constructed railing. The temple in question is a private establishment and was reportedly constructed relatively recently in the Kasibugga area.
Prime Minister Expressed His Grief Over the Stampede
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from PMNRF.
