7 killed in temple wall collapse in Andhra, CM announces ₹25 lakh ex-gratia, orders probe

Visakhapatnam: Seven people including three women were crushed to death and several others injured when a rain-soaked 20-foot-long wall collapsed at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple here, in the early hours of Wednesday. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced an ex-gratia of ₹25 lakh each to the kins of the deceased and ₹3 lakh each to the injured. He also ordered constituted a three-member committee for a probe into the mishap. According to an official release, an outsourcing job in temples under the Endowments Department will be provided to a family member of each victim.

Expressing deep sorrow, the CM said that he had spoken to the Collector and SP and asked treatment be provided to the injured. 

"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," said Naidu in a post on 'X'.

According to government sources only one person sustained injuries apart from those killed.

PM announces ₹2 lakh ex-gratia
Reacting to the incident Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X said Deeply saddened by the loss of lives. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.

PM Modi also announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 to the injured.

Meanwhile, Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy also condoled the deaths.

The tragedy
State Home Minister V Anitha said preliminary reports indicated that the wall collapse at the temple was triggered by soil loosening due to heavy rains in the area. Thousands gathered at Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple to witness the Nijaroopa darshanam of the Lord part during the annual Chandanotsavam on Wednesday.

The wall collapsed on the Rs 300 ticket queue line near the shopping complex on the ghat road from Simhagiri Bus Stand at around 3 am. 

“Heavy overnight rains and strong winds are suspected to have loosened the soil, causing the structure to fall,” minister Anita told media here. 

Anitha, present at the temple during the incident, visited the site immediately.

“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. There was no negligence in the rescue response,” she asserted.

An official from the temple said that the cause appears to be structural failure triggered by rains, but a detailed probe is underway.

Endowments Minister Ramanarayana Reddy called the tragedy unfortunate and announced stronger safety protocols. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state authorities pressed into the rescue operations soon after the mishap.

According to State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel, eight devotees were trapped under the debris, and seven bodies- three women and four men were extricated during the rescue operation. The injured have been shifted to a hospital, officials added.

Former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed shock and urged for best medical support to the injured and compensation to the victims' families.

Earlier this year, six devotees waiting to collect tokens for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills, were killed in a stampede in Tirupati.