At least nine devotees have been killed and many others injured after a stampede broke out at Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Kashibugga this morning. Hundreds of devotees had gathered at the temple on the occasion of ‘Karthika Ekadashi’, which is considered an auspicious day in the Hindu calendar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was pained by the stampede and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the victims.
Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu called it a “tragic incident” and said it was “extremely heartbreaking”.
“I have instructed the officials to provide speedy and proper treatment to those who have been injured. I have requested the local officials and public representatives to visit the site of the incident and oversee the relief measures,” he said in a post on X.
Andhra Minister Nara Lokesh said the stampede at the Venkateswara Temple has sent us into “profound shock”.