• At least 10 people have died during a stampede at Venkateswara Swami Temple in Andhra Pradesh.
• The incident occurred as thousands gathered for Ekadashi, leading to severe overcrowding.
• Authorities indicate poor crowd management and a lack of permissions contributed to the tragedy.

A stampede on Saturday at the Venkateswara Swami Temple in Kasibugga, Andhra Pradesh, has resulted in at least ten fatalities and numerous injuries. Thousands of devotees had gathered to celebrate Ekadashi, one of the holiest days in Hinduism, when the crowd surged out of control, leading to chaos and fatalities. An official noted that "several people collapsed as devotees rushed forward at once," highlighting the urgent need for improved crowd management, according to Indiatimes and Reuters.

Local officials reported that around 25,000 devotees attended an event intended for a temple capacity of only 2,000, exacerbating the chaotic situation. The absence of separate entry and exit points contributed to the crowd crush as hundreds rushed for a glimpse inside. Reports indicate that the temple had not secured the necessary permissions for such a large gathering, compounding the risk involved, according to Indiatimes, AA, and Al Jazeera.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed his profound sorrow about the loss of life, overridingly calling the incident "extremely heartbreaking." He has directed local authorities to ensure immediate medical treatment for the injured and has promised compensation to the families of the deceased. "I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased," he stated in a post on social media, according to Indiatimes and Reuters.