Four devotees on their way to the Kanaka Durga temple were killed while crossing the highway in Kakinada district

Image is for representational purposes only. The four deceased are natives of Denkada village in Vizianagaram district. | Photo credit: kali9

Four men observing ‘Bhavani Deeksha’ died on the spot when they were hit by a van while crossing the national highway on foot at Kathipudi in Kakinada district on Thursday (October 22, 2026) morning.

The incident took place when they were crossing the road to have tea after the bus in which they were traveling to Vijayawada stopped for repairs. At least 40 people observing ‘Bhavani Deeksha’ were on their way to Goddess Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada to conclude their ‘deeksha’ on Thursday.

The Prathipad police rushed to the spot and shifted the bodies of the deceased to the Kakinada Government General Hospital for post-mortem.

According to an official statement issued by Kakinada District Collector MN Harendhira Prasad, the four deceased are natives of Denkada village in Vizianagaram district.

Mandipalli Transport Minister Ramprasad Reddy spoke to the Kakinada Police and Mr. Harendhira Prasad and directed them to offer timely support to the people observing ‘deeksha’ and the families of the deceased.

Published – 22 Oct 2026 11:19 AM IST