Tragedy at Indian Temple: Nine Dead, Multiple Injured in Stampede

Select Language:

A stampede at a Hindu temple in India’s southern state of Andhra Pradesh resulted in the deaths of at least nine people early Saturday morning, with several others injured, according to government officials. The incident happened when worshippers crowded into the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam city during Ekadashi, an auspicious day for Hindus, as explained by Pawan Kalyan, the state’s deputy chief minister.

An investigation into the tragedy has been ordered. Kalyan mentioned that the temple is operated privately and confirmed the death toll of nine. Approximately 25,000 devotees had assembled at the temple, which has a capacity of only about 2,000, leading to a deadly crush, added state minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy. District officials have been directed to provide medical assistance to those injured.

So far, 18 individuals have sustained injuries, with two critically hurt patients transferred to a tertiary hospital for treatment, according to Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar, the district collector and magistrate of Srikakulam. The government announced plans to provide compensation of 200,000 Indian Rupees (roughly $2,300) to the families of the deceased and 50,000 Rupees (approximately $570) to the injured, as stated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X (formerly Twitter).