A tragic stampede occurred at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kashibugga, Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, on Friday. The incident took place as thousands of devotees gathered to offer prayers on the auspicious occasion of Ekadashi.
Witnesses on the scene reported that the stampede began when a railing collapsed due to the pressure from the crowd, causing many to fall. This sudden collapse led to panic and chaos among the devotees present at the temple. The authorities are concerned that the death toll might rise as some of the injured are in critical condition.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as one of panic and confusion, with devotees struggling to escape the narrow passageways. “It happened within seconds. People started falling over one another,” said a survivor.
CM Chandrababu Naidu Expresses condolences
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) in Telugu, Naidu wrote, “The stampede incident at the Venkateswara Temple in Kashibugga in Srikakulam district has caused a shock. The death of devotees in this tragic incident is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. 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,” said Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
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