A religious celebration in Andhra Pradesh turned tragic when a stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, claimed nine lives on Saturday. Most victims were women and children who had gathered for the Ekadashi festivities.
Eyewitnesses said devotees caused panic by rushing up a staircase on the crowded temple premises, which led several people to lose balance and get trampled. Visuals from the site showed chaos as locals and rescue personnel tried to assist those injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and announced financial assistance for the victims’ families. “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,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a post on X.
The government will give ₹2 lakh each to the families of those who died and ₹50,000 to the injured from the PM National Relief Fund.
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…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 1, 2025
Union Home Minister Amit Shah called the incident ‘deeply saddening’ and extended condolences to the affected families, urging swift aid and medical support for the injured. Taking to X, Amit Shah said, “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.”
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.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 1, 2025
State Leaders Express Grief and Call for Action
Andhra Pradesh Governor Justice (Retd) S Abdul Nazeer described the tragedy as heart-wrenching. He directed the district administration to ensure the best possible care for the survivors.
Governor Sri Abdul Nazeer offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and directed the district administration to provide better medical care to the injured pilgrims.
— governorap (@governorap) November 1, 2025
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu termed the incident ‘extremely distressing’ and said he had ordered immediate relief and medical aid. “I have instructed the officials to provide speedy and proper treatment to those who have been injured. I have requested the local officials and public representatives to visit the site of the incident and oversee the relief measures,” he stated.
శ్రీకాకుళం జిల్లాలోని కాశీబుగ్గ వెంకటేశ్వర ఆలయంలో తొక్కిసలాట ఘటన కలచివేసింది. ఈ దురదృష్టకర ఘటనలో భక్తులు మరణించడం అత్యంత విషాదకరం. మృతుల కుటుంబాలకు ప్రగాఢ సానుభూతిని తెలియజేస్తున్నాను. గాయాల పాలైన వారికి మేలైన సత్వర చికిత్స అందించాలని అధికారులను ఆదేశించాను. ఘటనా స్థలానికి వెళ్లి…
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) November 1, 2025
State Minister and TDP General Secretary Nara Lokesh also expressed condolences and instructed local officials to provide urgent support. “The government is providing better medical treatment to those injured in the stampede,” he posted on X.
కాశీబుగ్గ వెంకటేశ్వర ఆలయంలో తొక్కిసలాట జరిగి పలువురు భక్తులు మృతి చెందడం తీవ్ర దిగ్భ్రాంతికి గురిచేసింది. ఏకాదశి రోజు తీవ్ర విషాదం నెలకొంది. మృతి చెందిన వారి కుటుంబాలకు నా ప్రగాఢ సంతాపం తెలియజేస్తున్నాను. తొక్కిసలాటలో గాయపడిన వారికి ప్రభుత్వం మెరుగైన వైద్య చికిత్స అందిస్తోంది.…
— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) November 1, 2025
Rescue teams have now brought the situation under control. The authorities have launched an inquiry into the causes of overcrowding to determine responsibility and prevent such tragedies in future.
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