A tragic incident occurred near the renowned Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Simhachalam, Andhra Pradesh, where a cement wall suddenly collapsed, killing seven devotees and injuring several others. The accident took place while devotees were waiting in a queue with ₹300 tickets to enter the temple for darshan.
According to reports, the collapse was triggered by heavy rainfall, which caused a landslide and weakened the foundation of the wall. The wall was located near a shopping complex close to the temple, along the route from Simhagiri bus stand. The moment the wall collapsed, chaos ensued, and rescue operations were launched immediately.
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister V. Anitha, along with the District Collector of Visakhapatnam and the city Police Commissioner, rushed to the spot to oversee the rescue efforts. The initial findings suggest that the continuous downpour had loosened the soil, leading to the wall’s sudden fall. Authorities assured that the government is closely monitoring the situation and providing all necessary assistance to the victims.
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire brigade, and local police have been deployed for rescue and relief efforts. There are fears that more people may still be trapped under the debris, and efforts to rescue them are ongoing.
The injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals, where they are receiving treatment. Authorities are in the process of identifying the deceased and notifying their families. The Chief Minister’s office has requested a detailed report on the incident, and an official compensation announcement is expected soon.
The tragedy occurred at a time when the temple was witnessing a large influx of devotees, making the incident even more heartbreaking.
