Kasibugga, Andhra Pradesh – In a tragic turn of events on Saturday, at least 10 people lost their lives in a stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, as thousands of devotees gathered to celebrate Ekadashi, one of the most important religious observances in the Hindu calendar. The toll is expected to rise as several injured individuals are undergoing treatment in hospitals and remain in critical condition.

Videos emerging from the scene paint a harrowing picture of the chaos that unfolded inside the temple premises. In the footage, devotees are seen rushing to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to those who fainted in the densely packed crowd. Others are captured helping one another to move out of the crush, often lifting individuals over railings or carrying them to safety. The narrow passageways of the temple became dangerously overcrowded, with many people trapped against collapsing barriers, creating a human bottleneck that triggered panic.

The visuals circulating on social media further reveal the scale of the disaster. Several women were seen clutching puja baskets, screaming for help, and attempting to navigate the packed corridors. Some were pressed against railings that ultimately gave way under the immense pressure of the surging crowd, causing people to fall from heights and triggering a chain reaction of panic and injury. The scenes illustrate not only the tragedy but also the desperate efforts of fellow devotees to save those in immediate danger.

Causes of the Stampede

According to officials, the stampede was caused by an overwhelming crowd surge coinciding with the Ekadashi festival, which drew a turnout far exceeding the temple’s capacity. Authorities reported that nearly 15,000 devotees had gathered at the temple, even though the premises were designed to accommodate only a fraction of that number. The congestion escalated when devotees attempted to climb to elevated areas of the temple, causing railings to collapse and sending people tumbling onto one another.

The combination of one entry and exit point and inadequate crowd management amplified the crisis. As devotees rushed forward in fear, several fainted from suffocation, while others were trapped under the weight of the crowd. Local police and temple staff struggled to restore order, and medical assistance arrived only after the stampede had already claimed multiple lives.

Political Reactions and Condolences

The incident drew immediate national attention, prompting reactions from the highest levels of government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over the tragedy. In a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), he said he was “pained” by the loss of lives and offered condolences to the families of the deceased. The PM announced that an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh would be provided to the next of kin of those who lost their lives, while the injured would receive ₹50,000 each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also expressed shock and sorrow at the incident. Through a post on X, he conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, describing the stampede as “extremely heartbreaking.” Naidu assured the public that officials were taking immediate measures to provide medical assistance and relief to the affected families.

Political Blame Game

The tragic event quickly became a point of political contention in the state. Former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy criticized the Naidu government for failing to implement adequate safety measures despite repeated warnings and past incidents. Citing previous stampedes at major temples, including six deaths during Vaikuntha Ekadasi in Tirupatiand seven at the Simhachalam temple, Reddy argued that the state had consistently neglected the need for robust crowd management protocols.

“This repeated loss of innocent lives reflects the inefficiency of Chandrababu Naidu’s administration,” Reddy said, urging the government to take immediate corrective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. His statement underscores growing concerns over safety standards at religious sites in Andhra Pradesh and the broader need for government oversight in privately managed temples that host large gatherings.

On-the-Ground Response

Reports from Kasibugga indicate that local authorities and volunteers worked tirelessly to manage the aftermath of the stampede. Medical personnel were deployed to provide first aid and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. Devotees themselves played a critical role in administering CPR and helping victims escape the crush, demonstrating the resilience and urgency of the human response amidst chaos.

Despite these efforts, the tragedy highlights the challenges of crowd management during high-profile religious festivals in India. Experts note that adequate planning, multiple entry and exit points, regulated crowd movement, and emergency medical support are essential to preventing similar incidents in the future. The Kasibugga stampede serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in densely packed religious gatherings.

Relief and Investigation

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced that officials are conducting a thorough investigation into the stampede. Preliminary findings suggest that the private management of the temple did not coordinate with authorities regarding crowd control, contributing to the chaos. The state has emphasized the need for immediate corrective measures, including stricter supervision during festivals, crowd control mechanisms, and rapid medical response capabilities.

Officials are also monitoring the condition of the injured, many of whom remain in critical condition at local hospitals. Efforts are underway to ensure that families of the deceased receive proper support, including financial assistance, counseling, and logistical aid.

Broader Implications

The Kasibugga tragedy has reignited discussions about the safety protocols at religious sites across India. With millions of devotees attending festivals annually, the incident underscores the pressing need for standardized safety measures, coordination between temple management and local authorities, and the implementation of technology-driven crowd monitoring systems.

Experts argue that the recurring nature of such incidents—despite prior warnings—calls for stricter enforcement of regulations and accountability for temple authorities, especially in privately managed establishments. The government’s response to the Kasibugga stampede will likely serve as a benchmark for crowd management and emergency preparedness during future festivals.

Conclusion

The stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga stands as a tragic reminder of the potential dangers posed by large gatherings when adequate safety measures are not in place. The heroic efforts of fellow devotees, administering CPR and helping others escape, provide a glimpse of humanity amidst the chaos, but the loss of lives underscores the urgent need for systemic reform.

As Andhra Pradesh mourns the deaths of at least ten devotees, questions remain about accountability, preparedness, and the measures required to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Both government authorities and temple management face increasing pressure to ensure that religious celebrations, which bring together thousands of worshippers, do not end in tragedy.

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