Bhubaneswar: A young Odisha woman was among 9 devotees killed in a terrible stampede at Venkateswara Swamy temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district on Saturday.
The 21-year-old deceased lady has been identified as Rangala Rupa of Gudipadar village, under Ganjam district’s Patrapur block. Another woman from Odisha, who accompanied the 21-year-old, is undergoing treatment after sustaining injuries in the mishap.
Rupa’s body will be handed over to her family after post-mortem is completed.
Expressing deep sorrow over the deadly stampede, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that the tragedy occurred at the privately-built temple in Kasibugga area, where a massive crowd had gathered for Kartika Ekadasi. He alleged that the administration was not informed.
“Unfortunately, the organisers did not inform the police or local authorities about the event. Had they informed us, we would have provided police protection and controlled the crowd. Because of this lack of coordination, ten people lost their lives and five were injured,” Naidu said.
As thousands of devotees gathered for Ekadasi celebrations on Saturday, it led to massive overcrowding at the site. Among the victims were mostly women and children.
Bodies of those crushed under the feet of scampering humans were found lying on the ground as members of rescue teams rushed to the spot to assist the injured.
