A tragic incident at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga town, Srikakulam district, on Saturday, November 1, 2025, resulted in the deaths of at least nine people, including a young boy. The devotees reportedly fell from a six-foot-high wall while attempting to escape a sudden surge of people after an iron railing within the temple premises gave way.
Srikakulam Superintendent of Police (SP) K.V. Maheswara Reddy clarified that while a rush occurred, it was not a stampede in the traditional sense. He stated, “Nine devotees lost their lives, and two others are critically injured after falling from a wall connected to the damaged railing. They were attempting to flee the queue in a panic after the iron railing broke.”
SP Reddy further confirmed the grave condition of the two survivors. In response to the tragedy, a case has been registered against the temple owner, Hari Mukunda Panda, under various sections pertaining to culpable homicide. The charges stem from the alleged negligence that led to the devotees’ deaths.
The deceased’s bodies have been transferred to the government hospital in Kasibugga for post-mortem examinations, and efforts are underway to identify them.