The stampede at the Venkateswara Temple in Kasibugga in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, has brought into focus three issues that could have worsened the situation, officials say.

According to police officials, “the rush was very high and not enough measures had been made for crowd control”.

Deputy Superintendent of Police for Palasa town, where the temple is located, told The Indian Express that eight women and one child died in the stampede. “The temple is privately owned. Whenever its owners request us to do security arrangements, we post some police there, but today’s rush was extraordinary,” he said.

Officials also said the entry and exit points of the temple were the same. “The sprawling campus of the temple did not have separate entry and exit points. People were trying to

See Full Page