National and state leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, have expressed deep grief over the tragic stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kashibugga town of Srikakulam district that claimed at least 10 lives on Saturday.
The stampede occurred during the Ekadashi rush, as thousands of devotees gathered for special prayers. The overcrowding quickly turned into chaos, leaving several people injured and many others trapped. Emergency teams rushed the injured to nearby hospitals, where some are said to be in critical condition.
Expressing sorrow over the loss, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in an official post on X (formerly Twitter), “The stampede that occurred at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and family members. I pray that the injured recover quickly. We are providing Rs. 2 lakh ex gratia through PMNRF to the relatives of those who lost their lives, and Rs. 50,000 to the injured.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed his condolences, writing, “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the stampede at the Kashibugga Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. My condolences to the families of the devotees who lost their lives. Praying that the injured may recover at the earliest.”
Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer expressed “anguish and profound grief on the death of nine pilgrims in the stampede that took place in Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Kasibugga in Srikakulam district, on Saturday, due to heavy rush of pilgrims.” (Source: Raj Bhavan X post)
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu called the incident “heartbreaking” and instructed district officials to ensure all possible medical care and relief. “The death of devotees in this tragic incident is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased,” Naidu said. “I have instructed the officials to provide speedy and proper treatment to those who have been injured and requested public representatives to oversee the relief measures.”
