Venkateswara Swamy Temple Stampede Claims 7 Lives
A devastating stampede at Tirumala’s Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh killed seven devotees and injured several others during Sarva Darshan. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu termed the incident “extremely heartbreaking” and announced ₹10 lakh ex-gratia for bereaved families.
What Caused the Stampede?
Preliminary reports indicate panic erupted near the Vaikuntham Queue Complex due to rumors of collapsing barricades. Overcrowding and narrow pathways worsened the chaos, with 50,000+ devotees present. Rescue efforts were delayed due to the massive crowd, and the injured were rushed to SVIMS Hospital.
Government and Temple Authorities Respond
CM Naidu visited the site, ordered a high-level probe, and announced compensations:
– ₹2 lakh for critical injuries
– ₹50,000 for minor injuries
TTD Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy pledged stricter crowd control measures. Opposition leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy demanded accountability for lapses.
Eyewitnesses Describe Horror
Survivors recounted scenes of desperation:
– “People fell on each other; children struggled to breathe,” said Ramesh Kumar.
– Lakshmi Devi lost her family in the chaos before police rescued her.
History of Stampedes at Religious Sites
Similar tragedies have occurred at Sabarimala, Kumbh Mela, and Mumbai’s Elphinstone footbridge. Experts stress the need for:
✔ Advanced surveillance
✔ Regulated entry systems
✔ Emergency response teams
Next Steps
- Andhra Pradesh observes 3-day mourning.
- NDRF to assist in crowd management reforms.
- Devotees continue visiting despite the tragedy.
Conclusion
The stampede highlights urgent reforms needed for safety at India’s religious sites. As investigations proceed, the focus must shift to preventing future disasters.
— Reporting by NextMinuteNews
