Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives following the collapse of a makeshift structure during the Chandanotsavam festival at the Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi offered condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. He also announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for each injured person from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the collapse of a wall in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon,” PM Modi posted.
Incident Details and Official Response
The tragic incident occurred around 2:30 am on Wednesday, when a 20-foot-long temporary structure collapsed, killing eight devotees and injuring four others, according to rescue officials. The structure was part of the crowd management setup for the annual Chandanotsavam festival at the hilltop shrine.
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were promptly deployed. Rescue operations have since concluded, and all debris has been cleared.
Vinay Chan, Principal Secretary of the Endowment Department, said it was too early to determine the exact cause of the collapse.
“Prima facie, there was a heavy downpour between 2:30 and 3:30 am. While we are still investigating, all rescue work has been completed,” he stated.
State Leaders Express Grief
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu conveyed his condolences and said he is continuously monitoring the situation. He confirmed that instructions have been given to provide proper medical care to the injured.
“The incident, caused by heavy rains, is truly unfortunate. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones,” CM Naidu posted on X.
Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed sorrow over the tragic deaths, calling it a “heartbreaking” event.
“It is extremely painful that devotees who came for divine darshan had to lose their lives in such a tragic manner,” he said, urging authorities to ensure best possible care for the injured and support for the families of the deceased.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have launched a detailed probe into the incident, especially considering the heavy footfall at the temple and the impact of unseasonal rains. Security and crowd control measures at religious events are expected to come under increased scrutiny following the tragedy.