Andhra Temple Stampede Leaves 12 Dead, Dozens Injured
A devastating stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kandukur, Andhra Pradesh, killed at least 12 devotees and injured over 20 during the Brahmotsavam festival. The tragedy occurred when rumors of free food and gifts triggered a deadly surge in the crowd. Amid growing outrage, temple founder Golla Babu Rao denied responsibility, calling the incident “unforeseen.”
Chaos and Panic at the Festival
Witnesses described scenes of horror as thousands of devotees rushed toward the temple entrance, leading to a fatal crush. Elderly worshippers and women were among the victims trampled in the chaos. Local authorities struggled with rescue efforts due to the overwhelming crowd.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy announced ₹10 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and free medical care for the injured.
Temple Founder Rejects Blame
Golla Babu Rao, the temple’s founder, defended the administration, stating that security personnel and police coordination were in place.
“This was an accident, not mismanagement. False rumors caused the panic—how could we predict that?” Rao argued.
Critics, however, accuse the temple trust of negligence, demanding accountability for inadequate crowd control.
Calls for Stricter Safety Measures
The stampede has reignited concerns over safety at Indian religious gatherings. Experts like disaster management specialist Dr. K. Srinivas stress the need for:
– Crowd barriers
– Regulated entry points
– Real-time monitoring
The Andhra Pradesh government has ordered a probe, with initial reports pointing to poor barricading and narrow pathways as contributing factors.
Political Backlash and Demands for Justice
Opposition leaders, including TDP’s N. Chandrababu Naidu, slammed the state government, calling the stampede a “man-made disaster.” The ruling YSR Congress Party pledged action against any lapses.
Nation Mourns, Seeks Change
As victims’ families grieve, the tragedy underscores urgent reforms in crowd management for religious events. While Rao’s denial stirs debate, the focus remains on preventing future catastrophes.
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