Same entry and exit points, crowd surge: What led to the deadly Andhra temple stampede - 10 key points

NEW DELHI: At least 10 people died and several others were injured after a stampede broke out at the Venkateswara Swami Temple in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam on Saturday.

According to officials, the crowd swelled beyond control as devotees rushed to the temple to mark Ekadashi.

“Several people collapsed as devotees rushed forward at once,” an official said.

10 things we know so far

• Both the entry and exit points of the temple were the same, contributing to the chaos and overcrowding.
• The temple where the incident occurred is privately managed and is not registered under the state endowments department.
• The organisers of the event did not seek any official approvals and the state government had not been informed about the gathering.
• The area where the pilgrims assembled was still under construction at the time of the stampede
• Injured devotees were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities fear the death toll could rise, as some people were found unconscious after the incident.
• Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the loss of lives, describing the incident as “extremely heartbreaking”. “The stampede incident at the Venkateswara Temple in Kasibugga in Srikakulam district has caused a shock. The death of devotees in this tragic incident is extremely heartbreaking. I have instructed the officials to provide speedy and proper treatment to those who have been injured,” Naidu said.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the loss of life in the stamepede and announced and ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for dead and Rs 50,000 for injured from Prime Minister Natural Disaster Relief Fund.
• Meanwhile, an enquiry has been set inquiry into the incident has been ordered.
• Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh also condoled the loss of lives in a stampede at Venkateswara Temple and said that he has instructed officials to provide immediate assistance to the victims.
• Former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed deep shock and grief over the incident. He said that despite repeated tragedies, the government has failed to take proper precautions and has acted with utter negligence. “This repeated loss of innocent lives reflects the inefficiency of Chandrababu Naidu’s administration,” he said.