Nine devotees died in a tragic stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, during the Ekadashi gathering in Karthika Masam.
Thousands of worshippers gathered at the temple to mark the auspicious occasion. As the crowd swelled, a railing suddenly collapsed, causing panic and triggering a deadly surge. Several devotees fell to the ground and others trampled them in the chaos.
Police responded swiftly and brought the situation under control. Despite their efforts, the stampede left many injured, with some in critical condition. Officials warned that the death toll could rise.
Eyewitnesses pointed to poor crowd control and inadequate safety arrangements. The temple premises failed to accommodate the overwhelming number of visitors. Consequently, authorities launched an investigation to identify the cause and assess accountability.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep grief over the incident. He instructed officials to provide prompt medical care to the injured and oversee relief operations. Additionally, he urged public representatives to visit the site and support the affected families.
In his X post, he wrote,
“The stampede at the Kasibugga Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam district has left a deep impression. It is extremely sad that devotees have lost their lives in this unfortunate incident. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. I have directed the authorities to provide the best possible treatment to the injured. I have asked the local authorities and public representatives to visit the site of the incident and monitor the relief efforts”.
శ్రీకాకుళం జిల్లాలోని కాశీబుగ్గ వెంకటేశ్వర ఆలయంలో తొక్కిసలాట ఘటన కలచివేసింది. ఈ దురదృష్టకర ఘటనలో భక్తులు మరణించడం అత్యంత విషాదకరం. మృతుల కుటుంబాలకు ప్రగాఢ సానుభూతిని తెలియజేస్తున్నాను. గాయాల పాలైన వారికి మేలైన సత్వర చికిత్స అందించాలని అధికారులను ఆదేశించాను. ఘటనా స్థలానికి వెళ్లి…
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) November 1, 2025
