Simhachalam Temple Tragedy: Wall Collapse During Chandanotsavam Claims 8 Lives

Eight devotees, including five women, lost their lives and over a dozen others were injured when a wall collapsed near the Appanna Swamy temple in Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam, during the early hours of Wednesday. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. amid a heavy rush for the annual Chandanotsavam festival.

The cement wall, located near the ₹300 ticket counter, gave way as thousands gathered for darshan. Emergency personnel, including police and fire services, quickly launched relief operations and shifted the injured to nearby hospitals.

Andhra Pradesh Home Minister V. Anitha visited the site to oversee the ongoing rescue and relief efforts. Authorities are continuing to clear debris and investigate the cause of the collapse.