At least nine people — 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. State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said the temple, a private one and not under the Endowments Department, normally witnesses a turnout of 1,500 to 2,000 devotees here every Saturday. The tragedy was worsened by the Ekadasi observance coinciding with ‘Karthika Masam’, drawing large crowds.

According to the minister, the temple is located at an elevation 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.

Srikakulam district superintendent of police (SP) KV Maheshwara Reddy said it is mandatory for temples (or reli

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