Andhra CM Blames Organisers After Stampede at Private Temple Leaves 9 Dead

Nine devotees lost their lives and several others were injured in a stampede at the privately built Venkateswara Swamy Temple in the Kasibugga area of Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district on Saturday.

The tragedy unfolded during Kartika Ekadashi celebrations, when a massive crowd reportedly surged toward the sanctum, leading to chaos and panic. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it “extremely painful” and blaming the organisers for not informing authorities in advance about the large gathering.

“It is very unfortunate that innocent people lost their lives. This temple was constructed by a private individual, and due to Kartika Ekadashi, a huge number of devotees assembled. Unfortunately, the organisers failed to inform the police or district administration. Had they done so, we would have ensured crowd control and security,” Naidu said.

The Chief Minister announced an inquiry into the incident and assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible. He directed officials to provide the best possible medical care to the injured and extend support to the victims’ families.

“The government is committed to preventing such tragedies. A full-fledged inquiry will be conducted, and accountability will be fixed,” Naidu added.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan directed MLAs and Jana Sena Party leaders to visit the site and meet affected families. “The reasons behind this incident will be examined thoroughly, and a detailed report will be submitted,” he said.

State Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh called the tragedy “deeply shocking” and said he had spoken with district officials and local representatives to ensure immediate relief. “Our government is providing the best treatment to the injured, and all necessary assistance has been ordered,” he said.

According to officials, the stampede occurred as thousands of devotees gathered for darshan during the Ekadashi festivities. The sudden rush near the main steps of the temple led to people falling over one another. Visuals from the scene showed rescue personnel and locals trying to help those trapped in the chaos.

Police and emergency teams quickly arrived at the spot, and the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals. Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu visited the temple to oversee relief efforts and coordinate with district authorities.

The post-mortem of the deceased has been completed, and the bodies are being transported to their respective native places for final rites. Officials have said that a detailed report on the causes and lapses leading to the stampede will be submitted to the state government soon.