Andhra Pradesh: Wall collapses at Simhachalam temple during Chandanotsavam festival; 8 devotees, waiting in Rs 300 queue for Nijarupa Darshanam, killed

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.

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Tragic news from Andhra's Visakhapatnam where at least 9 are feared dead after a temple wall came crashing down on them.

Devotees waiting in queue to buy tickets to a special pooja crushed to death in Simhachalam Temple.

Barely months ago we saw a stampede at Tirupati. https://t.co/hITNszxhdB pic.twitter.com/jhBL1bXNwL

— Anusha Ravi Sood (@anusharavi10) April 30, 2025 >

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.”