At least nine persons — eight women and a boy — were killed and many others injured at a stampede which occurred at Venkateswara Swamy temple here in Srikakulam district on Saturday. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has ordered a probe into the incident.

Andhra Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said the temple, a private one and not under the Endowments Department, usually witnessed a turnout of 1,500 to 2,000 devotees every Saturday.

On Sunday, the place drew a large crowd due to Ekadasi coinciding with 'Karthika Masam'.

According to the minister, the temple is located on the first floor, and when the devotees were climbing, the railing broke, resulting in the people standing at a corner falling on one another.

One of the survivors said the approach to the temple was n

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