PM Modi, CM express grief

STATE TIMES NEWS

KASIBUGGA (ANDHRA PRADESH): At least nine people–eight women and a boy–were killed and many others injured at a stampede which occurred at Venkateswara Swamy temple here in Srikakulam district on Saturday.

Earlier, Srikakulam District Collector Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar put the toll at 10.

State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said the temple, a private one and not under the Endowments Department, ususally witnesses a turnout of 1,500 to 2,000 devotees here every Saturday.

The tragedy was worsened by the Ekadasi observance coinciding with ‘Karthika Masam’, drawing large crowds.

At least seven of the dead are in the age group of 35-40.

According to the minister, the temple is located at an elevation on the first floor, and when the devotees we

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