What Led to the Tragic Stampede at Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh?
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New Delhi, Nov 1 (NationPress) A devastating stampede occurred at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, located in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, during the Ekadashi celebrations on Saturday. The overwhelming number of devotees resulted in chaos and panic, leading to the loss of several lives.
Heart-wrenching images from the temple grounds depicted devotees' bodies on the floor as rescue teams and local individuals rushed to assist the wounded.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed his profound shock and sorrow, labeling the incident as “heartbreaking.” He stated, “The stampede at the Venkateswara Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, has left me deeply shocked. The loss of lives among devotees is truly tragic. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the grieving families. I have instructed officials to ensure immediate and adequate medical attention for the injured,” he mentioned in an official statement.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister urged local administration and public officials to visit the site and oversee the relief and rescue efforts personally.
In a post on X, Naidu added, “The stampede at the Kasibugga Venkateswara Temple in Srikakulam district has profoundly affected me. It is extremely sorrowful that devotees lost their lives in this tragic event. I convey my deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased. I have directed the authorities to ensure optimal treatment for the injured and asked local officials to monitor the relief operations closely.”
State Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) General Secretary Nara Lokesh also expressed his condolences regarding the incident.
In a post on X, he stated, “The stampede at the Kasibugga Venkateswara Temple, which claimed several devotees’ lives, is deeply shocking. A great tragedy occurred on the day of Ekadashi. I offer my deepest condolences to the families of those who perished. The government is committed to providing superior medical care to those injured. After receiving the news, I spoke with the authorities, including district minister Atchannaidu and local MLA Gauthu Sirisha. I have ordered immediate support for the victims.”