A view of the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh, where a stampede claimed several lives on November 1, 2025. Photo: Special arrangement
At least nine people, including a boy, were reportedly killed after they fell from a six-foot-high wall on Saturday (November 1, 2025) as they tried to escape a rush after an iron railing inside the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga town of Srikakulam district was damaged.
Several dead at Venkateswara Swamy temple in Srikakulam, update 1 November 2025
Srikakulam Superintendent of Police (SP) KV Maheswara Reddy told The Hindu: “It is not a stampede as such. Nine devotees were killed and two devotees are battling serious injuries after they fell from the wall which is connected to the railing. The devotees tried to escape from the queue in panic after the iron railing was damaged.”
“The condition of the two survivors is critical,” said Mr. Maheswara Reddy.
“A case has been registered against the owner of the temple, Hari Mukunda Panda, under various sections for manslaughter for negligence causing death of devotees,” said Mr. Maheswara Reddy.
The bodies have been taken to Kasibugga Government Hospital for post-mortem and their identities are being ascertained.
Published – 01 Nov 2025 14:59 IST
