Seven Devotees Killed After Wall Collapses in Simhachalam Temple

SEVEN devotees lost their lives and several others suffered injuries after a wall collapsed at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh's Simhachalam during the annual Chandanotsavam festival in the early hours of Wednesday.

- USHA PERI @ Visakhapatnam

The incident occurred in the ₹300 queue line where devotees had gathered for the 'Nijaroopa Darshan' of the deity.

Officials stated that the wall collapsed due to heavy rainfall that occurred between 2:30 am and 3:30 am. The wall, constructed just 20 days ago, is suspected to have given way due to the downpour. However, the exact cause for the wall collapse is still under investigation. The collapse took place shortly after the temple's hereditary trustee, P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, offered silk robes to the deity as part of the traditional ritual.