9 die as crowd surge sparks temple stampede in Andhra

At least nine people, including a teenager, were killed and three others were critically injured in a stampede at a temple in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday amid a rush of devotees, officials aware of the matter said.

- Srinivasa Rao Apparasu

The incident occurred around 11.45 am at the two-storey Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Srikakulam district when thousands had gathered on the occasion of “Ekadashi”, considered an auspicious day in the “Karthika” month for devotees.

“A total of nine people died in the stampede, seven on the spot and two others while undergoing treatment at the Palasa community health centre. Fifteen others are being treated at the same facility, and the condition of three is critical,” the state government said in a statement.

According to police, the stampede broke out as devotees were climbing a narrow staircase leading to the first floor of the temple, which has no separate entry and exit points. A railing gave way under pressure from the surging crowd, causing people to fall on each other.

“An initial investigation suggests that an iron grill installed to manage queues of worshippers broke, triggering the crowd surge,” Srikakulam Superintendent of Police (SP) KV Maheswara Reddy said.