VIJAYAWADA: At least seven people were killed and several others injured early Wednesday when a wall collapsed at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Simhachalam, Andhra Pradesh, following intense rain and strong winds, officials confirmed.
State Home Minister V. Anitha said initial reports indicate that heavy downpour, which began around 2:30 am and lasted for about 30 minutes, likely loosened the soil and caused the structural failure.
Rescue operations are currently underway, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local authorities working at the site. The collapse occurred just moments before hereditary trustee Poosapati Ashok Gajapati Raju was scheduled to make the first darshan of Lord Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.
Expressing his grief, former BJP MLC Madhav described the incident as deeply unfortunate, especially as it happened on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. “This is a tragic incident that occurred in the early hours of the morning, around 2:30 am. The government will investigate thoroughly and ensure compensation for the victims,” he said.
Authorities have launched a probe into the cause of the collapse and are assessing the structural integrity of other parts of the temple premises.
