Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh): At least eight devotees, including three women, were killed and several others injured in a wall collapse near the famous Simhachalam temple in the district in the early hours of Wednesday.
The incident reportedly occurred at around 0300 hours after heavy rain accompanied by heavy gales lashed the city.
The incident occurred when the devotees in large numbers were waiting in the Rs 300 queue line to witness the ‘Nijaroopa Darshan of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy on the occasion of annual 'Chandanotsavam' festival.
District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad, Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat, and Commissioner of Police Shankabratha Bagchi rushed to the spot.
Police , fire and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have reached the spot and are conducting the rescue operations.
The debris is being cleared, and the injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals.
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister V Anitha rushed to the spot to supervise relief operations.
On 'X social media platform, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, while expressing grief over the incident, said, “The incident reportedly happened due to heavy rains. Have spoken to the District Collector and Police Commissioner and have asked for the best treatment for the injured and are monitoring the situation continuously.”
