The death toll in the Visakhapatnam wall collapse climbed to eight on Wednesday after a 20-foot-long makeshift structure gave way during the early morning hours of the Chandanotsavam festival at Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple.
Four others were injured in the incident, which occurred around 2:30 a.m.
Rescue teams from the State and National Disaster Response Forces swiftly responded, and debris was cleared within hours. According to a jawan from the SDRF, the structure collapsed amid heavy rain that had lashed the area between 2:30 and 3:30 a.m.
Vinay Chan, Principal Secretary of the Endowment Department, said, “So it is not appropriate for us to conclude on the reasons for the incident. Prima facie, we have noticed that there was a downpour... Rescue work has been concluded.”
“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives... Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon,” he posted on X.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the loss of lives.
"Deeply saddened by the death of seven devotees at Simhachalam... my condolences to the families. I'm closely monitoring the situation and have ordered continuous review and support for victims," PMO quoted Modi as saying in a post on X.
Naidu also confirmed he had spoken to the district Collector and Superintendent of Police and that the injured were receiving treatment.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.
"We were all drenched in rain. As I came out of the temple, I was informed about the incident. The injured were rushed to hospital," she told reporters, adding that there was "no negligence in the rescue response."
She said preliminary assessments suggested that “the wall collapse at the temple was triggered by soil loosening due to heavy rains in the area.”
A temple official also cited structural failure likely caused by the rains, noting that a detailed investigation is underway to establish the exact cause.
Endowments Minister K. Ramanarayana Reddy described the incident as “unfortunate” and announced that stronger safety measures would be put in place to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed his shock at the incident and urged authorities to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured and adequate compensation to victims’ families.
Officials confirmed that the injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
This incident follows another temple tragedy earlier this year, when six devotees died in a stampede at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati while waiting for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam tokens.
Rescue operations in Simhachalam are continuing amid intermittent rain as authorities work to secure the site and ensure the safety of remaining devotees.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Rescue teams from the State and National Disaster Response Forces swiftly responded, and debris was cleared within hours. According to a jawan from the SDRF, the structure collapsed amid heavy rain that had lashed the area between 2:30 and 3:30 a.m.
Vinay Chan, Principal Secretary of the Endowment Department, said, “So it is not appropriate for us to conclude on the reasons for the incident. Prima facie, we have noticed that there was a downpour... Rescue work has been concluded.”
PM Modi announces financial aid
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the PMNRF.“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives... Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon,” he posted on X.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the loss of lives.
"Deeply saddened by the death of seven devotees at Simhachalam... my condolences to the families. I'm closely monitoring the situation and have ordered continuous review and support for victims," PMO quoted Modi as saying in a post on X.
Naidu also confirmed he had spoken to the district Collector and Superintendent of Police and that the injured were receiving treatment.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.
What initial investigation revealed
State Home Minister V. Anitha, who was present at the temple during the festival, rushed to the site of the incident."We were all drenched in rain. As I came out of the temple, I was informed about the incident. The injured were rushed to hospital," she told reporters, adding that there was "no negligence in the rescue response."
She said preliminary assessments suggested that “the wall collapse at the temple was triggered by soil loosening due to heavy rains in the area.”
A temple official also cited structural failure likely caused by the rains, noting that a detailed investigation is underway to establish the exact cause.
Endowments Minister K. Ramanarayana Reddy described the incident as “unfortunate” and announced that stronger safety measures would be put in place to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed his shock at the incident and urged authorities to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured and adequate compensation to victims’ families.
Officials confirmed that the injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
This incident follows another temple tragedy earlier this year, when six devotees died in a stampede at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati while waiting for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam tokens.
Rescue operations in Simhachalam are continuing amid intermittent rain as authorities work to secure the site and ensure the safety of remaining devotees.
(With inputs from agencies)
