Minister Nara Lokesh visited and consoled the devotees who were injured in the stampede that occurred at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Palasa-Kasibugga. 

He first visited the incident site at Kasibugga and later met the injured devotees undergoing treatment at the Palasa Government Hospital. He was accompanied by Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and State Home Minister Anitha.

Minister Nara Lokesh assured that the government will extend full support to the victims and their families.

"Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the stampede at the Kashibugga Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. My heart goes out to the bereaved families and all those injured. I hope they find strength and recover soon. I urge the Government of Andhra Pradesh to mobilise every resource for relief and to engage with the victims' families with empathy, dignity, and speed. I also appeal to our Congress leaders and workers in the region to assist in relief work, and support the grieving," Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, posted on X. 

Horrific videos from the temple showed massive overcrowding, with hundreds of women holding puja baskets jostling on a staircase in a frantic attempt to save themselves. Several bodies were later seen strewn across the temple premises. In one corner, an injured woman was seen crying profusely.

Many rushed to help the injured, while some tried to pull out others gasping for breath in the crowd. Some women who had collapsed were shifted to ambulances, and medical workers tried to resuscitate them.

The authorities at Venkateswara Temple, known as the 'Mini Tirupati, had not informed the local administration that such a huge rush was expected on Ekadashi, said government sources. Construction work was underway in the area where the stampede occurred. It had just one entry-exit point. 

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has ordered proper treatment for the injured, while his deputy, Pawan Kalyan, assured that an inquiry will be conducted into the tragedy.

In September, at least 41 people were killed after a stampede broke out at a campaign rally of popular actor-turned-politician Vijay in Tamil Nadu. And in June, a sudden crowd surge at a festival in Odisha triggered a stampede that killed at least three people and injured several others. 

The previous month, six people were crushed to death in Goa after thousands gathered for a popular fire-walking ritual. In January, at least 30 people were killed in an early morning crush at the Kumbh Mela, a mega-festival in the city of Prayagraj.

President Droupadi Murmu condoled the loss of lives in a stampede at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple and prayed for the quick recovery of those injured.

"Shocked to learn about the loss of lives in a tragic incident at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for quick recovery of those injured," she posted on X. 

The Andhra Pradesh Minister for Endowments, Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, said the capacity of the Venkateswara Swamy Temple is only up to 2,000 to 3,000 people, but about 25,000 people had arrived as it was 'Ekadashi'.

Reddy also said it is a private temple constructed by an individual named Hari Mukunda Panda with his funds on 12 acres of his land.

"Arrangements were not made accordingly... nor was information provided to the government by the concerned individual. This is the reason for the accident that occurred," he said in a video statement in Telugu on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was pained by the stampede and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the victims.

"My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover soon," his office posted on X.

He also announced that the injured would be given Rs 50,000.

Several devotees rushed to provide CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to those who fainted during a stampede that killed at least nine people at a temple in Srikakulam.

The stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, is "deeply distressing", Andhra's Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has said.

"I am saddened to learn that nine devotees lost their lives in the incident that occurred amid heavy rush on the occasion of Karthika Ekadashi. I pray for the peace of the departed souls and have directed officials to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured," he said.

The Andhra Pradesh government sources said that Sri Venkateswara Swamy is a private temple and does not fall under the endowments department.

The government sources also said the temple authorities didn't take approvals for the gathering and that they were not informed.

The area where pilgrims gathered was under construction, they said.

Scores of women stuck in a few metres of space, puja baskets in their hands, and many of them screaming for help: videos from Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam capture the rush leading to the stampede tragedy that claimed at least nine lives.

Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer has confirmed that at least nine devotees have died in a stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple.

"Governor Sri Abdul Nazeer offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and directed the district administration to provide better medical care to the injured pilgrims," his office said in a post on X.

Union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar said that he is "deeply saddened" by the tragic stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district.

"It claimed innocent lives of devotees and left several others injured," he posted on X.

Andhra Minister Nara Lokesh said the stampede at the Venkateswara Temple has caused the deaths of "several devotees". 

It has sent us into "profound shock", he wrote on X.

"A deep sorrow has gripped us on this Ekadashi day. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. The government is providing better medical treatment to those injured in the stampede. As soon as the information was received, I spoke with the officials, Minister Achchennaidu from the district, and local MLA Gauthu Shirish. I have instructed that immediate assistance be provided to the affected individuals," he said.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu called the Venkateswara Temple stampede a "tragic incident" and said it was "extremely heartbreaking".

"I have instructed the officials to provide speedy and proper treatment to those who have been injured. I have requested the local officials and public representatives to visit the site of the incident and oversee the relief measures," he said in a post on X.

Deaths have been reported after a stampede broke out at Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh's Kashibugga this morning.