Techie couple among 7 killed as wall collapses at Andhra Pradesh temple during festival
VISAKHAPATNAM: A techie couple were among seven devotees killed after a newly constructed wall collapsed at the
Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple
in Simhachalam during the annual
Chandanotsavam festival
on Wednesday.
The deceased software employees, Pilla Umamaheswara Rao (30) and his wife P Sailaja, were based in Hyderabad and had been working remotely from home.
The incident occurred following a 40-minute spell of heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds.
Officials confirmed that the incident happened around 3am when a newly constructed 25-foot-long wall gave way, burying devotees who had queued for the Nijaroopa Darshanam of Lord Varaha Narasimha Swamy.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and police teams concluded rescue operations by morning, confirming seven deaths and one injury. Earlier reports had estimated the death toll at eight.
The deceased have been identified as K. Mandikantha Eswara Sesha Rao (29) from Ambajipeta, Yedla Venkata Rao (58), HCL employee Pilla Umamaheswara Rao (30), his wife Pilla Sailaja (29), her mother Venkata Ratnam (45), and G Mahalakshmi (65). One devotee, Praveen, was injured and is currently receiving treatment.
Sources indicated that the wall, which was part of recent construction, collapsed due to poor structural integrity — allegedly built with excessive sand and inadequate cement. This is the first time the centuries-old Chandanotsavam festival has witnessed fatalities, although stampedes have occurred in past editions.
Chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, who held an urgent teleconference with senior officials, ministers, and temple hereditary trustee Poosapati Ashok Gajapati Raju, announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 3 lakh for the injured.
He also directed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured and promised government jobs within the Endowments Department for the bereaved families.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and sanctioned an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for each of the deceased's families and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan also extended his sympathies to those affected by the tragedy.
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