In the early hours of Wednesday a cement wall at the Simhachalam temple in Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh collapsed resulting in at least eight fatalities and numerous injuries.

Devotees Waiting in Line for Darshan

Devotees were waiting in line for the Rs 300 ticket from Simhagiri Bus Stand near the shopping complex on the Ghat Road when the wall collapsed.

Chandana Mahotsavam Festival in Progress

The event took place at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple during the yearly Chandana Mahotsavam festivities.

Temporary Structures and Under-Construction Wall Involved

Sources claim that as part of the festival preparations temporary structures were set up such as tents to house the large number of devotees expected for the event. The cement wall that collapsed was from a new building that was still under construction next to the tents according to information obtained.

Heavy Rains and Hilly Terrain Cited as Cause

The area was hit by intense rains for more than an hour in the early hours of Wednesday. According to reports the collapse was caused by the tents and temporary structures giving way and falling onto the newly built wall because of the loose soil caused by Simhachalams hilly terrain.

Rescue Operations by NDRF and SDRF

Teams from the fire and police departments as well as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were on the ground conducting rescue operations. Under the guidance of the NDRF and SDRF injured devotees were transferred to hospitals.

Overcrowding Noted at the Time of Incident

According to officials the area was crowded with devotees who had been waiting in line for darshan since the early hours.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Offers Condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences for X. We are deeply saddened by the deaths caused by a wall collapse in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Sending condolences to those who have lost a loved one. I hope the wounded get better soon, he wrote.

Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the collapse of a wall in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.

An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The…

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 30, 2025

Financial Aid Announced by PMNRF

The PMNRF will provide the families of the deceased with an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh while the injured will receive Rs 50000 according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

State Officials Arrive at the Scene

The number of fatalities has increased since the Chief Ministers post on X. Together with the District Collector and Police Commissioner Home Minister V Anitha arrived on the scene and began closely observing the situation. She was also in charge of the rescue efforts in the area where the wall had been damaged.

Minister for Endowments Reacts to the Tragedy

The incident caused shock and grief according to Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Minister for Endowments. In a statement from Amaravati he said It is very regrettable that seven devotees were killed when a wall collapsed because of intense rains. He promised that directives had been issued to treat the injured as best they could and that an investigation into the incident had been started. The government will support the victims’ families, he continued.

Religious Offerings Took Place Earlier in the Day

Images taken earlier in the day showed worshippers presenting the goddess with silk garments or pattu vastras including BR Naidu, chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

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