A major tragedy struck during the Chandanotsavam festival at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. Around 2:30 AM on Wednesday, a 20-foot section of a temporary structure at the temple collapsed, resulting in the deaths of seven people and serious injuries to four others.
Accident: A tragic incident occurred during the Chandanotsavam festival at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Visakhapatnam. A 20-foot section of a temporary structure within the temple premises collapsed on Wednesday morning, killing seven people and injuring four. This accident happened around 2:30 AM while devotees were participating in the festival.
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have reached the site and are engaged in search and rescue operations. The injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals and are receiving treatment.
Time of the Accident and Rescue Operations
The Chandanotsavam festival was underway at the temple when this tragic incident occurred, with a large number of devotees present. As the temporary structure's wall collapsed, people around screamed, and chaos ensued. Upon receiving information about the incident, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) immediately reached the site and commenced rescue operations.
An SDRF personnel stated that seven people died and four were injured in this incident. The injured were immediately sent to the hospital. Rescue operations continued, and all debris has been removed.
Questions Raised Regarding Rainfall and the Condition of the Temporary Structure
The accident occurred during heavy rainfall, making the situation even more challenging. Vinay Chayn, Principal Secretary of the Endowments Department, stated that they haven't yet had time to conclude the causes of the incident, but it appears that the heavy rain contributed to the collapse. He also mentioned that the situation is now under control after debris removal and rescue operations.
Andhra Pradesh's Home and Disaster Management Minister, Vangapudi Anita, also visited the site. She expressed deep sorrow over the accident, calling it an unfortunate event. Anita stated, "We took all necessary precautions, but still, this unfortunate incident happened. We will provide all possible assistance to the injured, and a thorough investigation into this incident will be conducted."
Post-Accident Situation and Administrative Response
Following the incident, the administration swiftly acted, sending all the injured to hospitals and monitoring their condition. They removed the debris and took all necessary steps at the accident site. The administration is now seriously investigating the matter and will conduct a detailed inquiry to ascertain the causes of the incident.
