Wed Apr 30 04:10:00 UTC 2025: **Temple Wall Collapse Kills Eight in Andhra Pradesh**
VISAKHAPATNAM, Andhra Pradesh – At least eight people were killed and four injured early Wednesday morning when a newly-built temple wall collapsed onto a queue of devotees at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Simhachalam. The incident occurred around 2:30 am as hundreds waited for a special “Nijaroopa” darshan (viewing of the deity) during the annual Chandanotsavam festival.
Heavy overnight rainfall is believed to have weakened the soil, causing the wall, adjacent to a shopping complex, to collapse. State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha stated that the wall was saturated with water and succumbed to the pressure of the crowd waiting to pay ₹300 for the special viewing.
Rescue efforts were immediately launched by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local officials. The victims, including three women, were transported to King George Hospital. Authorities are still working to identify all the deceased.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed his condolences and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹25 lakh to the families of each victim and ₹3 lakh to those injured. He also ordered a three-member committee to investigate the cause of the collapse. The festival, which features the unveiling of the deity’s true form after a year covered in sandalwood paste, had drawn thousands of devotees.
First Piper 