Disturbing visuals showed devotees trapped and crushed on a staircase as thousands surged toward the temple sanctum. Police and emergency teams rushed to the spot to restore order and rescue survivors.
By PC Bureau
November 1, 2025 : At least nine devotees, most of them women and children, were killed and several others injured in a stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, early Saturday morning. The tragedy occurred amid a heavy rush of devotees gathered to offer prayers on Ekadashi, considered an auspicious day in the Hindu calendar.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos as thousands surged toward the sanctum, leading to people losing balance on the temple’s narrow stairway. Disturbing visuals from the temple showed women clutching puja baskets, jostling frantically as the crowd swelled. Several bodies were later seen lying across the temple courtyard while rescuers tried to revive the injured.
The temple in Kasibugga was privately managed and not registered under the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department. Consequently, the temple operated without mandatory government permissions or safety clearances.
Officials revealed that the organisers failed to notify the district administration about the massive gathering planned for Ekadashi — a holy day known to attract thousands of worshippers.
The area where devotees assembled was reportedly under construction, creating a hazardous environment for the crowd. Despite the incomplete work, temple authorities allowed devotees unrestricted access to the premises. Preliminary reports indicate that no formal approvals were obtained to hold the event, and local officials were unaware of the scale of the congregation.
Overcrowding and Collapsing Barricades
Saturdays typically see 10,000 to 15,000 visitors at the shrine, popularly called “Chinna Tirupati” or “Little Tirupati.” However, this Saturday being Ekadashi, the turnout swelled to nearly 25,000. Witnesses said chaos erupted when devotees in the women’s queue began pushing forward as the line grew denser.
Barricades erected to manage the flow of people collapsed under pressure, causing several to fall. Panic spread instantly as people stumbled over one another in the narrow passageways.
Single Entry-Exit Point Proved Fatal
One of the major lapses that turned the situation deadly was the temple’s single entry-and-exit route. As devotees tried to flee, the congestion worsened. Family members attempting to help those who had fallen were themselves trapped in the crush. The shared access point created a bottleneck, leaving security personnel helpless and rescue efforts almost impossible.
At least nine devotees were killed and several others injured in a stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in #Kasibugga town of #AndhraPradesh’s #Srikakulam district on Saturday.
Rescue operations are underway and the death toll is expected to rise further. pic.twitter.com/VvPng8SVNG
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) November 1, 2025
Emergency teams and local volunteers rushed the injured to nearby hospitals. Some unconscious women were seen being carried to ambulances as medical personnel administered CPR in desperate attempts to save lives.
Governor S. Abdul Nazeer confirmed the death toll at nine and expressed deep grief over the incident. He directed district officials to ensure the best possible medical care for those injured and to assist bereaved families.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu called the incident “heartbreaking” and said he was personally monitoring the situation.
“The stampede at the Venkateswara Temple in Kasibugga has caused great sorrow. The loss of devotees in this tragic event is deeply heartbreaking,” Naidu said in a statement. “I have instructed officials to provide speedy and proper treatment to all injured and to extend full support to affected families.”
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He also directed local authorities and public representatives to visit the site and oversee ongoing relief operations.
Minister Nara Lokesh, son of the Chief Minister, said he was in “profound shock” over the deaths.
“A deep sorrow has gripped us on this Ekadashi day. I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives,” Lokesh said, adding that the government was ensuring “better medical treatment for the injured” and immediate assistance for the victims’ families.
Police have since brought the situation under control, though the temple area remains cordoned off as authorities investigate how crowd management failed despite prior warnings about the expected surge in pilgrims.
Officials said the exact cause of the stampede is still under inquiry, but initial reports suggest that a sudden rush near the main staircase triggered the collapse of several devotees, leading to the fatal crush.
