The BRICS TimesAndhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the Srivenkateswara Swamy Temple stampede. He promptly requested an official investigation report from relevant authorities.
Tragedy Strikes a Day of Devotion
A day of religious observance turned tragic for devotees at the Srivenkateswara Swamy Temple in Kanchili mandal, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. A stampede occurred at the temple in Kasibugga. This horrific incident resulted in the tragic deaths of at least ten people, including two children. Additionally, the disaster left numerous individuals seriously injured. Initial inquiries reveal that poor planning, lax security, and severe crowd management failures contributed to the tragedy.
Key Findings on the Temple Stampede
Lack of Official Oversight and Permission
Officials confirmed the temple operated under private management. It was not registered with the state’s Endowments Department (Religious Institutions Department). The temple management completely failed to seek any government permission for the Karthika Ekadasi event. Furthermore, they did not obtain necessary security clearance before holding the massive gathering.
Unsafe Conditions and Uninformed Administration
The organizers did not notify the district administration about the expected massive crowd. Thousands of devotees traditionally gather on Karthika Ekadasi. The area where the massive congregation gathered was still under construction. This meant the location was unsafe for large crowds. Temple authorities still permitted worshippers to enter the premises despite ongoing construction work.
Surge in Devotee Numbers
The ‘Chinana Tirupati’ temple usually draws around 10,000 to 15,000 devotees every Saturday. However, this particular Saturday coincided with Ekadasi. Consequently, nearly 25,000 devotees converged at the temple. Eyewitnesses recounted the stampede started when women tried pushing forward in the entry queue.
Broken Barricades and Fatal Congestion
The immense crowd pressure caused the safety barricades to collapse. This instantly led to multiple people falling over one another. A full-blown stampede then ensued. The temple’s narrow passages became extremely dangerous for the people trapped inside. A significant contributing factor to this awful disaster was the temple’s single entry and exit point.
Rescue Efforts Hampered
Panic escalated rapidly as people frantically tried to exit the area. Tragically, many individuals trying to save their family members also got stuck in the crush. The single entrance/exit situation worsened the tragedy immensely. It made immediate relief and rescue operations significantly more difficult. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu mourned the lives lost. He described the incident at the Kasibugga temple as profoundly heartbreaking.
