Seven Dead After Newly Built Wall Collapses at Visakhapatnam Temple

At least seven people were killed and six others injured early Tuesday morning when a newly constructed wall collapsed at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Simhachalam in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The incident occurred following heavy rainfall in the region. According to authorities, the temple had witnessed a large number of devotees since 4 a.m. due to the Akshaya Tritiya festival, which drew crowds to the holy site.

The tragedy unfolded near a ticket counter, where a significant number of people had gathered. Home Minister V Anita stated that many appeared to have leaned against the newly built wall, which gave way under the pressure. The wall had been constructed just a few weeks earlier near the special entrance staircase. Officials noted that the death toll could have been higher had not several people noticed the wall beginning to give way and moved back in time.

In response to the incident, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock and announced financial assistance for the victims. He declared an ex-gratia payment of ₹25 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives and ₹3 lakh to those who were injured. In addition to the financial support, he assured that jobs would be provided to the family members of the deceased in temples operating under the Endowments Department.

Naidu, who conducted a review of the situation via teleconference, also ordered the formation of a three-member committee to investigate the incident and determine the cause of the wall collapse. The committee is expected to assess the quality of construction and evaluate whether proper safety standards were followed during the building process.

Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a public statement, he conveyed his condolences and said he was "deeply saddened" that devotees who had come to seek divine blessings lost their lives in such a tragic manner. He emphasized the need for the government to provide the best possible medical treatment to those injured and stated that he would visit the site later in the day to assess the situation firsthand.

The tragic event has raised concerns over the safety of newly constructed structures in high-footfall religious sites, especially during festival periods that attract large gatherings. Devotees, local authorities, and religious officials have called for stricter oversight of construction practices and better crowd management during such events.

In the wake of the incident, both political leaders and the public have urged accountability and swift action to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The state government has pledged a thorough investigation, and public safety measures at religious sites are expected to come under increased scrutiny.

As the state mourns the loss of lives at a sacred venue, the focus remains on providing support to the affected families and ensuring justice through a fair and transparent inquiry.