Saturday, March 29, 2025
A tragic stampede struck the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, on Saturday, November 1, 2025, leaving at least nine devotees dead and more than a dozen others injured. The incident occurred during Ekadashi celebrations, when thousands of pilgrims gathered to offer prayers.
According to early reports, the crowd grew uncontrollable as devotees rushed toward the sanctum for darshan. The narrow temple corridors became overcrowded, resulting in people falling over one another. Panic spread rapidly, leading to a deadly stampede that claimed multiple lives on the spot.
Casualties:
Deaths: At least 9 confirmed so far
Injured: Over a dozen, several in critical condition
Rescue teams and local volunteers rushed the injured to nearby hospitals for emergency medical treatment. Authorities fear that the death toll may rise as some victims remain in critical condition.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He instructed district officials and medical teams to provide immediate relief and the best possible treatment to the injured.
State Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu reached the temple site soon after the incident to assess the situation and coordinate rescue efforts. He also met temple authorities and local police to review safety lapses.
The Andhra Pradesh Police have deployed additional forces to control the situation and prevent further chaos. Entry to the temple has been temporarily restricted while a full investigation is launched into the cause of the stampede.
Preliminary reports suggest insufficient crowd management and lack of proper barricades might have triggered the tragedy.
The state government is expected to announce compensation for the families of those killed and injured. Locals describe the scene as one of “unimaginable chaos and grief,” turning a sacred day of devotion into one of deep sorrow.
