Simhachalam Temple Tragedy: Wall collapse during Chandanotsavam kills 8 devotees in Andhra Pradesh

Eight devotees, including five women, died and over a dozen were injured when a wall collapsed near Appanna Swamy temple in Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam. The mishap occurred during the Chandanotsavam festival amid heavy rush. Relief operations are underway.

Hyderabad: At least eight devotees including five women were killed and a dozen were injured in a wall collapse near the famous Appanna Swamy temple in Simhachalam of Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of Wednesday, reports reaching here said.

Police and Fire service personnel have rushed to the place and took up relief measures. The debris is being cleared and the injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals.

The mishap occured when a cement wall adjacent to the Rs 300 ticket counter collapsed around 3 a.m. There was heavy rush at the temple in view of the ‘Chandanotsavam’ festival in the temple. Devotees in large number were present at the annual festival and the queue lines have extended to long distances.

Andhra Pradesh Home Minister V Anitha rushed to the spot to supervise relief operations.