Temple Tragedy : At Least 9 Dead In Stampede. A solemn atmosphere enveloped Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district after a stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga claimed at least nine lives and resulted in multiple injuries during Ekadashi celebrations. The tragedy occurred on Friday when an iron railing near the temple steps gave way, causing panic among thousands of devotees who had gathered for the auspicious occasion. How the Incident Unfolded According to officials and eyewitnesses, the chaos erupted as devotees sought darshan during peak morning hours. The collapse of the railing led to people falling from a height, and the panic-triggered stampede resulted in deaths due to crowd crush and injuries. Most of the victims were women and children gathered for the rituals. Emergency services and police responded swiftly to bring the situation under control, with injured persons rushed to nearby hospitals. Reaction and Relief Efforts Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep anguish over the loss, describing the event as “extremely heartbreaking” and instructing authorities to ensure prompt treatment for the wounded. Compensation and enhanced relief measures have been announced for the families of the deceased, while local officials and ministers personally oversaw relief and rescue operations. Safety Concerns & Investigation Authorities pointed to severe overcrowding, lack of proper barricades, and inadequate planning as factors behind the tragedy—this being the third major temple stampede in Andhra Pradesh this year. Both temple management and local police are being investigated for crowd safety lapses, and officials have promised a detailed probe and stricter safety protocols at major religious events going forward. The Bigger Picture The tragedy underscores India’s recurring challenge with crowd management at popular pilgrimage sites. Experts stress the need for robust infrastructure, pre-event planning, and real-time crowd monitoring to prevent such incidents. Our deepest condolences to the families impacted by the Kasibugga temple tragedy. Stay connected with Multigyan for the latest developments and public safety updates. Disclaimer : This post conveys public news and is not a substitute for official statements or safety guidance. For emergency help, please contact local authorities