Kasibugga: Nine devotees died in a stampede at Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga on the occasion of Kartika Masa Ekadashi on Saturday early morning at Srikakulam in AP. According to the Hindu Mythology the month of Kathika in telugu calendar is auspicious month to perform poojas to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

During the stampede eight women and one child died on the spot and atleast 20 others were injured during a heavy rush at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga on the occasion of Ekadashi. Three injured persons were seriously injured in this incident.

The Kasibugga temple, known as the Mini Tirupati, is not under the Government’s endowments department that manages thousands of temples in the state. According to the Government officials, the temple authorities had not informed the local administration that such a huge rush was expected on Ekadashi. Construction work was underway in the area where the stampede occurred. It had just one entry-exit point.

Horrific videos from the temple showed massive overcrowding, with hundreds of women holding puja baskets jostling on a staircase in a frantic attempt to save themselves. Several bodies were later seen strewn across the temple premises. In one corner, an injured woman was seen crying profusely.

Many rushed to help the injured, while some tried to pull out others gasping for breath in the crowd. Some women who had collapsed were shifted to ambulances, and medical workers tried to resuscitate them. The police later rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has ordered proper treatment for the injured in the tragedy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was pained by the stampede deaths and announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the victims’ families. The injured will be given Rs 50,000.

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, he said.

Governor S Abdul Nazeer also expressed anguish and directed the district administration to provide better care to the injured. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock and described the deaths as heartbreaking. 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 the officials to provide speedy and proper treatment to those who have been injured, said Naidu. Naidu has also requested the local officials and public representatives to visit the site and oversee the relief measures.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, too, offered condolences and wished speedy recovery to the injured. 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, he said.