Srikakulam Temple Stampede: A stampede during a religious festival in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district resulted in the death of 10 devotees and injuries to multiple others. The stampede occurred during a private temple function that attracted a crowd much larger than anticipated, leading to pandemonium on-site.
The Incident: Chaos at a Religious Gathering
The stampede began when hundreds of devotees quickly rushed the temple entrance to offer prayers, leading to a large number of people falling down and being trampled later on. Officials indicated that a lack of crowd control measures and poor planning were the two primary causes of the situation.
Local police and fire services quickly arrived to assist in bringing the stampede under control. The injured were transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Response of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu: The Organisers Are Responsible
The Chief Minister’s response was one of great sadness, above all blaming the organisers for their inaction and lack of coordination with authorities.
“The tragic incident could have been avoided. The organisers seemed not to have acted properly with respect to managing crowds and safety”, Naidu stated.
The Chief Minister announced that ex gratia compensation would be provided to the families of the deceased and directed that the injured should be treated to the highest quality of care. The Chief Minister also ordered an inquiry to identify and hold accountable party(s) for obvious or potential lapses.
Private Event that Did Not Obtain Approvals
Confirmation from authorities afterwards indicated that this temple event was private, and the event received no official approval for a large gathering or use of the ground or location. Reports are that the event did not expect the size/turnout of the congregation, which caused significant mismanagement, eventually leading to the chaos.
State Issues Directive to Review Safety Plans
The Andhra Pradesh government directed a review of crowd control plans for all religious gatherings, public or private, in the wake of the disaster. CM Naidu emphasised that there can be no compromise on safety in the name of devotion and that event coordinators must collaborate closely with the local government.
