Palasa Stampede Tragedy Leaves 8 Dead, Dozens Injured
The quiet town of Palasa in Andhra Pradesh was shattered by tragedy on Tuesday when a deadly stampede at a religious event killed at least eight people and injured dozens. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as thousands of devotees were trapped in a crushing crowd.
What Caused the Palasa Stampede?
The stampede occurred around 5:30 PM near a temple during a massive gathering of over 20,000 devotees. Preliminary reports suggest that rumors of a collapsing barricade triggered a sudden rush toward exits. Narrow pathways turned deadly as people tripped and were trampled in the chaos.
Authorities confirmed eight fatalities, including three women and two children, with over 30 injured. Many suffered fractures, suffocation, and trauma from the crush.
Eyewitness Stories: “People Were Screaming, Begging for Help”
Survivors shared horrifying accounts of the stampede:
- Ramesh Kumar, 42: “One moment, we were waiting for darshan. The next, people screamed about a collapsing fence. Everyone ran—women and children fell, but no one could stop.”
- Lakshmi, a mother: “My son was pulled away from me. People were crushed right in front of me. I thought I’d lost him forever.”
Local vendors helped rescue victims, breaking benches to pull people from the pile.
Authorities Under Fire: Could This Have Been Prevented?
Critics blame poor crowd control, citing inadequate barricades and no emergency exits. Palasa’s District Collector, Rajiv Gandhi, announced an investigation into lapses.
Political Fallout and Calls for Safety Reforms
Andhra Pradesh CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy announced ₹5 lakh compensation for victims’ families. Opposition leaders accused the government of negligence. Experts demand stricter crowd management at religious events to prevent future tragedies.
Palasa Mourns the Lost
The town now grieves as families light candles at makeshift memorials. The stampede highlights the urgent need for better safety measures at mass gatherings.
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