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At least nine people have been confirmed dead after a stampede at a Hindu temple in southern India’s Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, according to the state’s governor.
The stampede occurred at the revered Venkateswara temple in Kasibugga, located in the Srikakulam district, where a massive gathering of devotees had assembled for prayers.
Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer expressed his “profound grief on the death of nine pilgrims in the stampede,” extending his condolences to the bereaved families.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared his sympathies, offering his “condolences to those who have lost their near and dear ones,” and added, “I pray that the injured recover soon.”
Fatal stampedes and crowd surges are a recurring tragedy in India, particularly during large religious events and festivals where massive crowds converge in confined spaces.
In September, at least 36 people were killed when panic erupted at a campaign rally for popular actor-turned-politician Vijay in Tamil Nadu.
Earlier in June, a sudden rush of devotees at a Hindu festival in Odisha triggered a deadly stampede that left at least three people dead and several injured.
Just a month before that, six people were crushed to death in Goa after thousands gathered to take part in a traditional fire-walking ritual.
And in January, tragedy struck the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj when an early morning crush claimed at least 30 lives, underscoring the persistent danger of overcrowding at India’s religious gatherings.
