Kashibugga temple stampede: Temple management failed to let government know crowd would gather for Ekadashi

At least nine people were killed in a crowd surge or stampede at the Venkateswara Temple in Kashibugga, Andhra Pradesh. Among the victims were eight women and a 12-year-old boy.

Reports say the temple, which has a capacity of 3000 to 5000 devotees, had more than 25000 people visiting on Saturday morning for Ekadashi. The temple area is spread over 12 acres.

State Minister of Home Affairs Anitha said that the on a regular day, about 15000 to 2000 devotees came to the temple every week for prayers.

Local reports said that the temple management knew that a large crowd would gather, but they did not inform authorities to secure the grounds. Police personnel usually deployed for crowd control, were not available on the grounds as the crowd surged on Saturday morning.

The temple is situated on higher ground. While the devotees climbed the staircase, the railing broke and people fell over each other. The overcrowding also occured as the entrance and exit points of the temple were the same.

Ambulances were also delayed and only arrived on the scene after an hour, Sakshi reported.

The temple was constructed by trustee Harimukund Panda on 12 acres of his own land and costa bout Rs 20 crore. Part of the temple was still incomplete and under construction.

Minister for Endowments Anam Rama Narayana Reddy said that the temple is privately run. He also said that the organisers did not inform the government or the endowments department of Saturday's event.

This is the third such incident in the state.

On April 30, seven people and more were injured when a new temple in Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Simhachalam temple in Visakhapatnam collapsed.

On January 8, six people were killed and dozens were injured in a stampede in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.

India