National: In a heartbreaking incident during one of Andhra Pradesh’s most revered religious gatherings, at least seven devotees, including three women, lost their lives in the early hours of April 30 after a retaining wall collapsed near the Simhachalam Hilltop Temple in Visakhapatnam.
The tragedy struck just as thousands had congregated to witness the sacred Nijaroopa Darshan of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, a key highlight of the annual Chandanotsavam festival.
The accident occurred between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m., as devotees stood in the ₹300 special queue braving adverse weather. Without warning, heavy rainfall combined with high-velocity winds battered the temple surroundings, causing a section of the wall—adjacent to an under-construction shopping complex near Simhagiri Bus Stop—to give way. The collapse sent debris crashing onto the crowd, trapping several worshippers underneath.
Emergency response teams, including personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local police, sprang into action to rescue the injured and recover the bodies. Top administrative officials, including District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad, Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat, and Police Commissioner Shankabrata Bagchi, reached the site promptly to oversee rescue and relief operations.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and assured that the state government would ensure the injured receive the best possible medical attention. In a message shared on X, he acknowledged the severe weather as the apparent trigger and said he was personally monitoring the situation while directing the administration to provide all necessary assistance.
Home Minister V. Anitha stated that preliminary assessments pointed to the stormy weather as a contributing factor and confirmed that a detailed investigation would be launched to determine the structural lapses that led to the collapse. Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, who also visited the site, pledged accountability and strong action once the inquiry concludes.
Opposition leader and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed his condolences, calling the incident deeply painful and urging the state to offer full support to the bereaved families. He also appealed for rigorous improvements in safety infrastructure at major religious venues to prevent future mishaps.
As the Chandanotsavam festival continues to attract lakhs of devotees each year, the incident has cast a dark shadow over the celebrations, exposing critical gaps in crowd management and disaster preparedness. The tragedy has reignited calls for stronger regulatory oversight and the urgent need to upgrade safety protocols at pilgrimage sites across the state.
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