Andhra Temple Stampede Claims 12 Lives, PM Modi Announces Relief
A horrific stampede at Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Kandukuru left 12 dead and 20+ injured during a crowded religious event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia for victims’ families, while Andhra Pradesh CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy pledged ₹5 lakh compensation.
What Caused the Kandukuru Temple Stampede?
The tragedy unfolded in the early hours as thousands of devotees, including elderly and women, rushed for a rare darshan. Witnesses reported:
– Poor crowd control with inadequate barricades.
– No queue system, leading to a chaotic crush.
– Victims suffered trampling and suffocation before rescue teams arrived.
Local hospitals in Eluru and Vijayawada struggled to handle the influx of injured, with at least 12 fatalities confirmed.
PM Modi, CM Reddy React – Compensation & Probe Ordered
- PM Modi tweeted: “Deeply saddened… condolences to bereaved families.”
- ₹2 lakh for deceased kin, ₹50,000 for injured (via PMNRF).
- Andhra CM announced:
- ₹5 lakh per victim’s family.
- High-level inquiry into lapses in crowd management.
- Opposition leaders like Chandrababu Naidu (TDP) and Rahul Gandhi (Congress) demanded stricter safety measures.
Why Do Temple Stampedes Keep Happening in India?
This incident echoes past tragedies at Sabarimala, Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, and Mumbai’s Elphinstone Bridge. Experts blame:
– Poor infrastructure at pilgrimage sites.
– Lack of AI surveillance/digital queues.
– Authorities underestimating crowd size.
Govt’s Action Plan to Prevent Future Stampedes
- Andhra Pradesh will audit safety at all major religious events.
- NDRF to train local police in crowd control.
- Centre urges states to enforce stricter mass-gathering guidelines.
Final Thoughts
The Kandukuru stampede underscores the urgent need for better crowd management tech and policies. While compensation aids grieving families, systemic reforms are crucial to prevent repeats.
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