At least 12 killed, dozens injured in temple stampede during Hindu festival in southern India
At least 12 people have died and dozens more were injured after a stampede broke out at a popular Hindu temple in southern India on Saturday, authorities confirmed.
The tragedy occurred at the Swamy Venkateswara Temple in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, where thousands of devotees had gathered to observe Ekadashi, one of Hinduism’s sacred fasting and prayer days dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Police said an iron grille used to control the queue of worshippers collapsed, triggering a chaotic crowd surge. “An iron barrier gave way, causing panic among devotees,” senior police officer K. V. Maheswara Reddy told the Associated Press.
Local official Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar said most of the victims were women and one was a child. “We initially recorded seven deaths, but the toll has risen to 12 as more succumbed to their injuries. Two others remain in critical condition,” he said.
At least 16 people are receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, while 20 others remain under observation due to shock, according to authorities.
Footage broadcast on local media showed frantic scenes as bystanders rushed to help people who had fainted or struggled to breathe amid the crush.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed condolences to the families of the victims. Naidu also ordered an inquiry into the incident and pledged strict action against those responsible.
Officials said the temple, which sits on 12 acres of privately owned land, was not under direct government management. Despite its 3,000-person capacity, about 25,000 devotees gathered on the premises. “The organisers failed to inform authorities or make adequate arrangements,” the state’s fact-check unit said in a social media statement.
Stampedes at large religious gatherings are a recurring tragedy in India, where millions flock to temples and festivals each year. In recent months, similar incidents have claimed dozens of lives across the country, including at temples and railway stations during major pilgrimages.
