NEW DELHI (AP) — A crowd surge at a popular Hindu temple in southern India left at least seven people dead and dozens injured, local authorities said Saturday.

The incident occurred at the Swamy Venkateswara Temple in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh state where hundreds of devotees had gathered to mark one of Hinduism’s sacred days, “Ekadashi,” senior police officer K. V. Maheswra Reddy told the Associated Press.

On this day, the devotees fast and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu, a key Hindu deity.

Reddy said more casualties were feared. “Condition of at least three is critical,” he said, adding that the injured have been taken to local hospitals for treatment.

An initial investigation suggests that an iron grille meant to maintain the queue of worshippers at the temple broke, l

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