Tragedy struck the historic Simhachalam temple in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam on Wednesday morning as eight devotees were killed and several others injured when a cement wall collapsed during the annual Chandanamahotsavam celebrations.
The incident occurred while a large number of devotees stood in line near a shopping complex on the Ghat Road, waiting to buy Rs 300 tickets for darshan at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple.
What Happened?
The wall that collapsed was reportedly part of a newly constructed structure adjacent to a tented area set up to manage the festival crowd. Heavy rains lashed the region earlier in the morning, and due to Simhachalam’s hilly terrain, soil erosion is believed to have weakened the temporary structures. The combined pressure of the collapsing tents is thought to have triggered the fall of the cement wall.
Casualties and Response
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Death toll: 8 confirmed dead (may rise).
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Injuries: Several devotees injured; rushed to nearby hospitals.
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Rescue teams: NDRF, SDRF, local police, and fire departments are actively involved in ongoing rescue operations.
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Cause: Preliminary reports suggest structural weakness compounded by heavy rainfall.
Government Reaction
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. He said, “My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident. I am closely monitoring the rescue and relief efforts.”
Home Minister V Anitha visited the site and coordinated rescue operations with senior district officials, including the District Collector and Police Commissioner.
Minister for Endowments Anam Ramanarayana Reddy called the incident "deeply unfortunate" and assured that the government would stand by the victims' families. He also confirmed that an official enquiry had been ordered to investigate the cause and responsibility behind the collapse.
Festival Disrupted
The accident occurred during Chandanamahotsavam, an important religious event that draws thousands of devotees to the temple each year. Visuals from earlier in the day showed key dignitaries, including Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams chairman BR Naidu, offering pattu vastrams (silk clothes) to the deity before the incident.
Authorities have since tightened safety protocols at the temple and have restricted access to the affected areas as a precautionary measure.