Andhra Pradesh stampede: CM Chandrababu Naidu pays tribute, observes silence for 9 killed

Survivors of the Venkateswara Swamy temple stampede in Srikakulam district blamed the use of a single narrow gate for both entry and exit and the lack of crowd management, which resulted in a tragedy that killed nine people and injured several others on Saturday.

“The approach to the temple is narrow. There were many people, and only a single entry and exit point. As people jostled, we stumbled and fell. The steel grill was also very weak. The grill people were holding onto broke, and everybody fell,” an autorickshaw driver, who survived the accident, told PTI.

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect for the victims who lost their lives in the Srikakulam stampede incident at Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple.

Naidu observed a moment of silence for the stampede victims, along with the people gathered at Praja Vedika.

Telangana Jagruti President K Kavitha on Saturday condoled the deaths in the stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam, which claimed at least nine lives.

Speaking to ANI, Kavitha said, "Unfortunately, many people have died there. Our condolences are with the families. I hope that the government immediately takes good care of the others who have been hurt. My deepest condolences to the families."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the stampede at the Kashibugga Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. My heart goes out to the bereaved families and all those injured. I hope they find strength and recover soon."

Vice President of India CP Radhakrishnan on Saturday expressed grief over the tragic stampede at the Venkateswara Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, that claimed at least nine lives and left several injured.

In a post shared on X, the Vice President said, "Deeply pained by the tragic stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple at Kashibugga in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. The loss of lives in this unfortunate incident is extremely distressing. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured."

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday condoled the loss of lives in Kasibugga, while appealing to Congress workers in the region to assist in relief efforts.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the stampede at the Kashibugga Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. My heart goes out to the bereaved families and all those injured. I hope they find strength and recover soon,” Rahul said in a post on X.

“I urge the Government of Andhra Pradesh to mobilise every resource for relief and to engage with the victims’ families with empathy, dignity, and speed. I also appeal to our Congress leaders and workers in the region to assist in relief work, and support the grieving.” he added.

The Andhra government in a statement on the stampede incident noted that the same route was being used at the temple for entry and exit. The statement said that around 15,000 people had turned up at the temple on the occasion of Ekadashi, following which a railing on the entry-exit route gave in due to crowd pressure. This triggered panic among the people.

A statement released by the Andhra Pradesh government said a railing had collapsed due to crowd pressure on the entry-exit gate of the temple, thus triggering panic among the people.

Minister for endowments in the Andhra Pradesh government Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said that no information regarding any expected crowd surge had been provided to the government. Reddy said that the temple was not managed by the government but had been constructed by a private individual named Harimukundapanda.

“The capacity of this temple is only up to 2,000 to 3,000 people. Today, being Ekadashi, up to 25,000 people arrived all at once. Arrangements were not made accordingly...” the minister said.

Andhra minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said that the Venkateswara Swamy temple in Srikakulam's Kasibugga is managed by the temple, but is a private-owned temple.

“The Kasibugga Venkateswara Temple in Srikakulam district, where the stampede occurred, is not under government management,” the minister said, adding that the temple does not come under the control of the Endowments Department. He said that the temple was constructed on 12 acres of land owned by an individual named Harimukundapanda with his own funds.

Andhra minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy in a video posted by the state government's fact check wing said that the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga had a capacity of only 3,000. However, around 25,000 people arrived on Saturday on the occasion of Ekadashi, thus leading to a crowd surge.

President Droupadi Murmu expressed shock after ten people lost their lives in the stampede incident at the temple in Srikakulam's Kasibugga.

“Shocked to learn about the loss of lives in a tragic incident at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for quick recovery of those injured,” Murmu said in a post on X.

BJP national president and union minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Saturday condoled the loss of lives in the stampede in Kasibugga.

“The tragic stampede incident at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Devasthanam in Kasibugga, Andhra Pradesh, which resulted in the loss of devotees' lives, has deeply shaken my heart. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray that the injured recover swiftly. I hope that God grants strength and courage to each and every person affected by this tragedy,” Nadda said in a post on X.

Srikakulam stampede news LIVE: Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan on Saturday instructed officials to implement effective crowd control measures at temples across the state following the stampede in Srikakulam district, reported news agency ANI.

Kalyan said the directives were aimed at preventing a recurrence of such incidents, particularly on spiritually significant days when large gatherings are expected.

He ordered officials to “ensure that proper crowd regulation measures are put in place in temples across the state” to avoid any future tragedies like the one in Srikakulam.

Srikakulam stampede news LIVE: Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday expressed deep shock and grief over the stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga.

In a statement, cited by news agency ANI, Reddy recalled that similar incidents had occurred in the past, including the deaths of six devotees during Vaikuntha Ekadasi in Tirupati and seven more at the Simhachalam temple.

He said that despite repeated tragedies, the state government had failed to take adequate precautions. “This repeated loss of innocent lives reflects the inefficiency of Chandrababu Naidu’s administration,” Reddy said, ANI reported.

He urged the government to take “serious corrective measures” to prevent such incidents in the future.

Srikakulam stampede news LIVE: Agriculture minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu on Saturday expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the Kasibugga temple stampede in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district.

In a post on social media, Atchannaidu said, “The news that 9 people lost their lives in a stampede at the Venkateswara temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, has caused profound grief. I reached the incident site immediately upon learning of the matter and oversaw the relief efforts.”

“I pray that the souls of those who perished in this tragic incident find peace,” he added. The minister said he later visited those injured in the incident at the Palasa government hospital and consoled them.

Atchannaidu said he had issued clear instructions to officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured. “The government will stand by the affected families,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said he was pained by the stampede incident in Srikakulam and announced ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the kin of the victims. The PMO also announced ₹50,000 for the injured persons.

“Pained by the stampede in Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover soon,” the PMO said in a post on X.

Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday condoled the deaths in the stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy temple in Srikakulam's Kasibugga.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the stampede at the Kashibugga Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. My condolences to the families of the devotees who lost their lives. Praying that the injured may recover at the earliest,” Shah said in a post on X.

Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan said that the state government would take all possible measures to ensure that the injured persons receive the best treatment.

“It is extremely tragic that 9 devotees lost their lives in a stampede that occurred due to thousands of devotees thronging for darshan of Lord Venkateswara at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Palasa-Kasibugga town, Srikakulam district, on the occasion of Ekadashi. The fact that a child was also among them has deeply shaken us,” Kalyan said in a post on X.

“Expressing profound condolences to the families of the deceased, I assure them that the government will extend all kinds of support to them,” Kalyan said. The deputy CM requested the administrative machinery to regulate crowds at temples across the state during spiritually significant days and ensure no such accidents occur again.

Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh has directed for immediate assistance to be provided to the affected families in the aftermath of the stampede at the Venkateswara Temple.

“The stampede at the Kasibugga Venkateswara Temple has caused the deaths of several devotees, plunging us into profound shock. A deep sorrow has gripped us on this Ekadashi day,” Lokesh posted on X.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. The government is providing better medical treatment to those injured in the stampede. As soon as the information was received, I spoke with the officials, Minister Achchennaidu from the district, and local MLA Gauthu Shirish,” Lokesh said.

Following the stampede, police teams reached the spot and brought the situation under control. Additional police teams have also been deployed to the site of the incident.

State agriculture minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu expressed reached the Venkateswara Temple in Kashibugga after the incident. The minister spoke to temple officials regarding the incident and the affected families, while directing for better medical care for the injured persons.

A heavy rush of devotees at the temple on the occasion of Ekadashi led to overcrowding, resulting in a sudden stampede. The injured were immediately rushed to hospitals for treatment, while police reached the spot and brought the situation under control.

At least nine persons were killed on Saturday following the stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district. The devotees had gathered at the temple on the occasion of Ekadashi.