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Tragic Stampede at Srikakulam Temple Claims 5 Lives
In a devastating incident, a stampede at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district resulted in five fatalities and left several injured. The tragedy occurred during the Brahmotsavam festival, highlighting severe lapses in crowd management at India’s religious sites.
What Happened? Chaos During Brahmotsavam Festival
The stampede broke out around 6:30 AM when thousands of devotees rushed to enter the temple after its gates opened. Eyewitnesses reported:
– Overcrowding due to the festival coinciding with a weekend.
– Insufficient barricades and narrow pathways worsened the chaos.
– Five devotees, including two women, died on the spot, while over a dozen suffered serious injuries.
Victims and Immediate Response
The deceased were identified as locals from Srikakulam and nearby districts. One victim, a 65-year-old woman, had come with her family for blessings. Relatives blamed poor crowd control, stating:
“There were no proper arrangements. Police were outnumbered.”
Andhra Pradesh CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy announced:
– ₹5 lakh ex-gratia for each victim’s family.
– A high-level inquiry into the incident.
Opposition leaders criticized the state’s negligence in safety measures.
A History of Stampedes at Religious Gatherings
This incident mirrors past tragedies, including:
– 2013 Madhya Pradesh stampede (115 dead)
– 2008 Jodhpur temple tragedy (224 dead)
Experts urge modern crowd-control solutions, such as:
✔ Digital ticketing
✔ Timed entries
✔ Better-trained security
Who’s to Blame? Investigations Underway
- Locals accuse temple authorities of ignoring overcrowding risks.
- Police claim devotees broke barricades, causing chaos.
Activist groups demand stricter safety enforcement at religious sites.
Next Steps: Preventing Future Tragedies
The Andhra Pradesh government plans to:
– Review safety protocols at major temples.
– Implement crowd-control measures, including:
– Limited daily entries
– Wider pathways
The Brahmotsavam festival, meant for celebration, has turned into mourning. As families prepare for funerals, the nation questions: When will preventable stampedes end?
Stay updated with Deccan Herald for the latest on this developing story.
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