Deadly Stampedes Across India in 2025: From Andhra Temple to Kumbh Mela Tragedies

On Saturday, a tragic stampede claimed the lives of at least nine people at Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. The incident occurred during an Ekadashi celebration that had drawn massive crowds of devotees to the Kasibugga temple.

Harrowing footage from the scene revealed victims' bodies scattered across the temple grounds as rescue operations commenced. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed profound grief, describing the fatalities as "heartbreaking" and directing local officials and representatives to visit the location to coordinate relief efforts.

This tragedy joins several other deadly stampedes that have occurred across India in 2025:

In Tamil Nadu's Karur on September 27, approximately 40 people perished and over 50 sustained injuries during a political rally held by actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president Vijay. The stampede erupted at Velusamypuram when thousands of attendees became compressed in congested roadways.

Bengaluru witnessed disaster on June 4 when Royal Challengers Bengaluru's victory celebration following their first IPL championship in 18 years led to a stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium. The incident resulted in 11 fatalities and left 50 people injured.

At Shirgaon Temple in North Goa on May 3, six people lost their lives with numerous others injured during an annual procession. Panic spread rapidly through the assembled devotees, triggering a chaotic rush.

New Delhi Railway Station was the site of tragedy on February 15, when 18 people, including five children, died and more than a dozen suffered injuries. The stampede occurred on foot-overbridges connecting platforms when passengers headed to the Maha Kumbh Mela slipped while descending, creating panic and a deadly crush.

Earlier that year on January 29, the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh experienced a stampede during the pre-dawn hours before the 'Amrit Snan' on Mauni Amavasya. The incident claimed 30 lives and injured at least 60 people when enormous crowds gathered for the sacred ritual bath.