Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh: A tragic stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga town, Srikakulam district, claimed the lives of at least 10 devotees on Saturday, casting a shadow over the Ekadashi festivities. The sudden surge of devotees inside the temple premises led to chaos, as narrow passageways and a single entry-exit point created bottlenecks. Several devotees fainted in the crowd, and videos circulating on social media showed fellow devotees performing CPR and helping those trapped, highlighting both the panic and the human efforts to save lives.

Reacting to the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound grief and said he was “pained” by the incident. He also announced an ex-gratia compensation from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF)for the families of the victims and for those injured. According to the PMO, ₹2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of the deceased, while the injured would receive ₹50,000. The PM’s office posted on X:

“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. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also reacted promptly to the incident. Describing himself as “deeply shocked” by the tragedy, Shah extended his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the recovery of the injured devotees. In a post on X in Telugu, he said:

“The stampede incident at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Devasthanam in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, which resulted in the loss of devotees’ lives, has deeply shocked me. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased devotees. I pray that the injured devotees recover quickly.”

Chief Minister Naidu and State Leaders Respond

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed “shock” at the tragedy and directed state officials to ensure that all injured persons received prompt and proper medical care. He also instructed local officials and public representatives to visit the site, oversee relief measures, and provide necessary support to the affected families. Naidu’s message on X read:

“The stampede incident at the Venkateswara Temple in Kashibugga in Srikakulam district has caused a shock. The death of devotees in this tragic incident is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. I have instructed officials to provide speedy and proper treatment to those injured. Local officials and public representatives have been asked to visit the site and oversee relief measures.”

State ministers joined in expressing their grief and ensuring swift action. Lokesh Nara, the state minister, confirmed that he had personally contacted fellow minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu and instructed officials to extend immediate assistance to those injured. He said:

“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. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. The government is providing better medical treatment to those injured. Upon receiving information, I spoke with the officials, Minister Atchannaidu from the district, and local MLA Gauthu Shirish, and instructed immediate assistance for the affected individuals.”

Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu personally visited the incident site, consoling bereaved families and meeting the injured at Palasa Government Hospital. Sharing images and updates from the scene, he wrote:

“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. Later, I visited the injured undergoing treatment at the Palasa government hospital and consoled them. Clear instructions were given to officials to ensure better medical services for the injured. The government will stand by the affected families.”

The Incident and Its Immediate Aftermath

The stampede occurred as thousands of devotees had gathered for Ekadashi, a spiritually significant day in the Hindu calendar. Reports indicate that the Venkateswara Swamy Temple is privately managed and has only one entry and exit point, which contributed to overcrowding and increased the risk of stampede. Videos circulating online showed devotees trapped against railings, some falling over one another, while others tried to rescue those who fainted due to the crush of the crowd.

Medical teams and local volunteers rushed to the temple immediately, performing first aid and moving the injured to hospitals. Despite the efforts, the death toll reached at least ten, and several injured persons were reported to be in critical condition.

The tragedy has prompted discussions on crowd management and safety protocols, particularly during high-traffic religious festivals. Authorities are said to be reviewing the approval and management processes for private temples hosting large-scale gatherings to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Political and Social Reactions

The stampede has drawn responses across political lines. Union and state leaders emphasized the urgent need for preventive measures at religious sites, while also extending heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families. The Prime Minister and Union Home Minister’s statements underline the central government’s commitment to providing financial relief and supporting emergency response efforts.

Meanwhile, local authorities have initiated investigations into the temple’s crowd management practices and are working with hospital teams to ensure proper care for the injured. The state government has also vowed to implement better crowd control systems at temples, particularly during major festivals and spiritually significant days.

Looking Forward

The Srikakulam temple stampede has emerged as a stark reminder of the risks of overcrowding at religious sites and the importance of adequate safety measures. While immediate relief and medical assistance continue, authorities are under pressure to review structural safety, entry-exit logistics, and emergency preparedness at temples across Andhra Pradesh.

The combined responses from PM Modi, Amit Shah, CM Chandrababu Naidu, and other state ministers reflect the seriousness of the incident and the urgent need for proactive governance to prevent future tragedies. In the wake of this event, officials are expected to roll out stricter crowd management regulations to safeguard devotees during large religious gatherings.