A religious celebration turned tragic in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district on Saturday when a stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple claimed at least five lives and left several others injured. Authorities fear the death toll may rise, as a few of the injured remain in critical condition.

According to officials, the stampede occurred during the Ekadashi festival, when thousands of devotees had gathered at the revered temple to offer prayers. The situation spiralled out of control as devotees rushed to enter the sanctum, resulting in severe overcrowding within the temple premises.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and panic as devotees fell over one another in the narrow temple corridors. “It all happened in seconds — people were pushing from behind, and before we knew it, many had fallen,” said a devotee present at the site.

Local police and rescue teams swiftly reached the temple and began evacuation and relief operations. The injured were immediately shifted to a nearby government hospital, where medical teams are providing emergency care.