KASIBUGGA, ANDHRA PRADESH (Nov 1): At least ten people, including eight women and a boy, were killed and several others injured in a stampede at the Venkateswara temple in Kasibugga town of Srikakulam district on Saturday morning, officials said.
The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m., when a large crowd gathered for a special ritual at the temple. District Collector Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar confirmed the death toll at ten, while rescue and relief operations were underway at the site.
“Immediate assistance has been provided to the injured, who have been rushed to nearby hospitals,” said Kasibugga Sub-Division DSP Lakshman Rao, who is overseeing the investigation.
Local authorities suspect the stampede was triggered when devotees surged forward to offer prayers during the ritual. Eyewitnesses said panic spread quickly as the temple corridor became overcrowded.
Police and emergency response teams are working to identify the victims and control the crowd. The Andhra Pradesh government is expected to announce compensation for the families of those killed.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has sought an immediate report from district officials and directed the administration to ensure proper medical care for the injured.