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6d ago

Temple Wall Collapse in Andhra Pradesh Kills Seven During Religious Festival

Heavy rainfall and soil loosening are cited as key factors in the structural failure at Simhachalam's Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple.

At the time of the incident, devotees were in queue for the 'Nijaroopa' darshan of the deity at the temple.
8 killed in wall collapse at temple in Andhra Pradesh's Simhachalam
Photo:IANS
Image

Overview

  • Seven people were killed and several others injured when a rain-soaked, makeshift wall at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Visakhapatnam collapsed early Wednesday morning.
  • The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 am during the annual Chandanotsavam festival, which draws large crowds of devotees to the hilltop temple.
  • Officials have attributed the collapse to continuous heavy rainfall that loosened the soil beneath the temporary 20-foot structure.
  • Rescue operations led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are ongoing, with injured individuals receiving hospital care.
  • Andhra Pradesh Home and Disaster Management Minister Vangalapudi Anitha visited the site, calling the tragedy "unfortunate" and emphasizing the need for further investigation into the structural failure.