NDRF personnel taking up rescue operations at the site where the wall was collapsed at Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy’s Temple in Simhachalam in Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
At least seven including three women devotees died while a few others were injured in a wall collapse, at top Simhachalam Hill in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday (April 30, 2025) early morning. The incident occurred when the devotees were waiting in a queue line to witness the ‘Nijaroopa Darshan of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy on the occasion of annual ‘Chandanotsavam’ festival.
The incident reportedly occurred after heavy rain accompanied by heavy gale lashed the city in the early morning between 3.30 to 4 a.m. The wall collapse happened in the ₹300 queue line, near the shopping complex which is being constructed nearby the Simhagiri Bus Stop.
District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad, Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat, Commissioner of Police, Shankabratha Bagchi rushed to the spot. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams has reached the spot and is conducting the rescue operations.
Expressing grief, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu through a message in X, said “The incident reportedly happened due heavy rains. Have spoken to the District Collector and Police Commissioner and have asked for the best treatment for the injured and is monitoring the situation continuously.”
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister V. Anitha expressing grief over the incident, said that heavy gale could be the reason. She also said that they would further enquire about the quality of the construction of the wall in the investigation.
Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy also expressed grief over the incident, and said that enquiry will be conducted into the incident.
Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed deep shock and sorrow over the tragic deaths of devotees at the Simhachalam.
In message he said “Deeply saddened to learn that several devotees lost their lives after a wall collapsed on the ₹300 ticket queue line due to heavy rains.” Calling it a “heartbreaking incident”, he said that it was extremely painful that devotees who had come to witness the divine form of the Lord had to lose their lives in such a tragic manner.
Mr. Jagan urged the Government to ensure the best possible medical treatment for those injured in the accident. He also appealed to the authorities to extend all necessary support and assistance to the families of the deceased.
Published – April 30, 2025 07:01 am IST
