Visakhapatnam Temple Tragedy: 7 Dead, 4 Injured In Platform Collapse, PM Condoles Loss Of Lives

Seven people were killed and four injured after a platform collapsed during the Chandanotsavam festival at Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Visakhapatnam. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities investigate safety lapses.

Visakhapatnam Temple Tragedy: 7 Dead, 4 Injured In Platform Collapse (ANI)

A religious festival took a tragic turn on Tuesday as a stage gave way at the Chandanotsavam festival at the famous Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Visakhapatnam district, killing seven devotees and leaving four injured. The mishap took place when a temporary stage installed to stage the festival of 20 feet long gave way all of a sudden and dropped a few people onto the ground below. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced Rs 25 lakh ex gratia to the kin of the deceased and Rs 3 lakh to those injured in the temple wall collapse incident.

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh | Visuals from the Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Visakhapatnam, where seven people died after a 20-foot-long stretch collapsed during the Chandanotsavam festival pic.twitter.com/q7CWB4vfJr

— ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2025

PM Condoles Loss of Lives 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives. In a post shared by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on X, he said, "Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the collapse of a wall in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon."

The PMO also announced that an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) will be provided to the next of kin of each deceased, while those injured will receive Rs 50,000.

Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the collapse of a wall in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.

An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The…

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 30, 2025

Rescue Operations Underway

State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were quickly sent to the location. Search and rescue efforts continue as officials sort through the rubble to ensure no one is trapped.

Government Response

Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha toured the temple site with top officials from the state's Disaster Management Department to personally oversee rescue and relief operations.

The authorities are set to investigate why the structure collapsed, with inquiries arising as to safety procedures in place at major public events during religious ceremonies.