Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in a tragic wall collapse incident in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The collapse occurred during the Chandanotsavam festival at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, claiming the lives of eight people and injuring four others.
In a post on X, PM Modi conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. He also announced ex gratia assistance from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF), stating, “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 injured would be given Rs. 50,000.”
The incident took place in the early hours of Tuesday when a 20-foot-long makeshift wall collapsed on devotees waiting in a queue on the Rs. 300 ticket line, amid heavy rains.
Vinay Chan, Principal Secretary of the Endowment Department, addressed the media in Tirupati. He said it was too early to determine the exact cause of the collapse.
“Prima facie, we have observed that there was a downpour between 2.30 and 3.30 am. The investigation is ongoing. So far, eight people have died. All the debris has been cleared and rescue operations have been concluded,” he said.
Search and rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed immediately after the incident, which occurred around 2.30 am, according to an SDRF personnel.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also expressed his condolences, terming the incident as deeply saddening.
“The death of seven devotees in a wall collapse during the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Chandanotsavam has deeply saddened me. The incident, caused by heavy rains, is truly unfortunate. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. I have spoken to the District Collector and SP regarding the situation and instructed that proper medical care be provided to the injured. I am continuously monitoring the situation,” he said on X.
Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed shock over the tragedy. Calling it a heartbreaking incident, he said it was extremely painful that devotees, who had come for a glimpse of the Lord, lost their lives in such a tragic manner due to heavy rains.
-ANI
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