NEW DELHI (AP) – A tragic crowd surge at the Swamy Venkateswara Temple in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh state resulted in at least nine fatalities and numerous injuries, local officials reported on Saturday. The incident unfolded during a major Hindu religious observance known as “Ekadashi,” when devotees gather in large numbers to fast and pray to Lord Vishnu, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. Senior police officer K. V. Maheswra Reddy provided details to the Associated Press regarding the crowd management issues that led to the crisis.
The situation escalated when an iron grille, which was intended to control and direct the flow of worshippers, collapsed, prompting a chaotic rush among the attendees. The initial investigation indicated that this malfunction triggered the dangerous surge. Senior local government official Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar expressed concern that the death toll could rise, noting that while the preliminary reports confirmed seven deaths, two additional individuals had succumbed to their injuries shortly thereafter. Furthermore, the condition of two others remained critical.
Among the deceased, eight were women and one was a child, underscoring the tragic outcome of the incident. In terms of injuries, at least 16 devotees were receiving treatment at a local hospital, while another 20 individuals were in shock and being monitored at a different medical facility. Eyewitness accounts captured the harrowing moment as bystanders rushed to assist those who had fainted amid the chaotic crush, with many seen performing first aid and offering comfort to the injured.
In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, as did N. Chandrababu Naidu, the highest-elected official in Andhra Pradesh. Their statements reflected the widespread sorrow surrounding the incident and highlighted the need for improved safety measures at public gatherings.
Unfortunately, such crowd surges at religious events are not isolated incidents in India, where the infrastructure and security measures frequently struggle to handle the massive influx of pilgrims and devotees at temples and sacred sites. This recent incident is reminiscent of a similar tragedy in July, when another crowd surge at a temple in northern India led to the deaths of at least six people and left many others injured.
The recurrent occurrences of crowd-related fatalities reveal the vulnerabilities present during large religious gatherings, prompting calls for more stringent crowd control protocols to ensure the safety of those participating in these significant cultural and spiritual events. The impact of this incident not only affects the immediate victims and their families but also raises questions about the preparedness and response of local authorities in managing large crowds during major religious observances.
