'Person on top tripped and…': Andhra minister Nara Lokesh on what led to Srikakulam stampede

Andhra minister Nara Lokesh said that due to the rush, the entry point was closed, and people thought they could use the exit route, which led to suffocation.

Updated on: Nov 2, 2025, 11:24:49 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

An “unknown amount of rush” led to “a lot of suffocation”, which resulted in a stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam, state minister Nara Lokesh said. Nine people died, while several others were injured in the stampede at the privately run temple on the occasion of Ekadashi.

Personal belongings, food and other items lie on the stairs of Ventakeswara Swamy Temple after a stampede. (PTI)

The minister said that the temple had both entry and exit gates; however, due to the rush, the entry point was closed, and people thought they could use the exit route, which led to suffocation.

“At 11.30 am, because there was an unknown amount of rush, the entry point was closed. Many people who attended felt that they could use the exit route. That created a lot of suffocation. The entry has steps, so the person on the top tripped and fell; this resulted in a cascading effect. Also, the queue planners were not prepared for such a crowd,” he told reporters.

The majority of those who died were women, he said, adding that he reached out to an MLA and a minister immediately after learning about the incident. “We have a WhatsApp group for real-time governance, which also has the disaster management minister. We reached out to the Home Minister. From there, we coordinated the entire rescue operation. We worked exceptionally hard to save as many lives as possible,” he said.

Andhra government on stampede

A statement issued by the Andhra Pradesh government said that the stampede broke out when a large crowd surged forward as the temple gates opened, causing panic among devotees. It added that nearly 15,000 people had gathered at the site at the time of the incident.

Meanwhile, Srikakulam SP KV Maheswara Reddy said that the incident occurred because the temple had only one entry and exit point. “There is only one entry and exit. The incident occurred due to the collapse of an iron grill near the steps. The public, in fear, thought that something was falling and panicked,” he said.

Jagan Reddy slams Andhra government

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, while expressing shock and grief over the incident, said that the government had failed to take proper precautions despite repeated tragedies, referring to previous incidents, including the death of six devotees during Vaikuntha Ekadasi in Tirupati and seven at Simhachalam temple.

“This repeated loss of innocent lives reflects the inefficiency of Chandrababu Naidu's administration,” Reddy added.

With inputs from agencies

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.