27 people killed at Godavari Maha Pushkaram in Andhra Pradesh

Naidu further told reporters that a thorough probe would be conducted after completion of the 12-day event

 

Andhra  Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday announced Rs.10 lakh ex-gratia each for the families of those killed in the stampede during Godavari pushkaram here.

He made the announcement after calling on the injured at the government-run hospital in Rajahmundry in East Godavari district.

He told reporters that a thorough probe would be conducted after completion of the 12-day event.

At least 27 pilgrims, mostly women, were killed and 20 others injured in a stampede, officials said. Naidu said the tragedy occurred despite taking all precautions. He expressed his condolences at the loss of lives. 

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who had a holy dip in Rajahmundry Tuesday morning, rushed to a control room to monitor the situation. He said if necessary he would stay here till the completion of event to monitor the proceedings.

Naidu earlier appealed to people not to panic and claimed that the situation has been brought under control.

 

Lakhs of pilgrims throng the Pushkar ghats at Rajahmundry in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh to take a holy dip in River Godavari (pic: K Sudheer)

"I request to people to head to other pushkar ghats to avoid overcrowding at single ghat. I'm monitoring the situation from control room," he tweeted.

"Request people to follow queues lines and instructions. Pilgrims' safety is top priority for us. Will provide all possible assistance."

The tragedy occurred when a large number of pilgrims rushed towards one of the gates and tried to scale it at Kotagummam pushkar ghat on the banks of Godavari river to take the holy dip.

Chaos prevailed at all the three gates at the bathing ghat in Rajahmundry, a town in East Godavari district.

The toll may further go up as some bodies were still believed to be lying at the spot.

The bodies of victims were shifted to Rajahmundry government hospital. The injured were also brought to the hospital, where the condition of some of them is stated to be critical.

Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhara Rao expressed deep shock and conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased pilgrims in the stampede incident. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the stampede.

Modi said he spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and discussed the situation with him.

"Deeply pained at the loss of lives due to stampede at Rajahmundry. My condolences to the families of the deceased & prayers with the injured," he tweeted.

"Spoke to CM @ncbn & discussed the situation with him. The State Government is working to restore normalcy," he said.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi also expressed shock over the loss of lives in the stampede.

Extending her condolences to the families of the deceased in the tragedy, the Congress chief hoped that the injured are being provided immediate medical treatment and relief.

She also said that the government should take adequate steps to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

Rahul Gandhi said on micro-blogging site Twitter, "Extremely sad to hear of the stampede in Rajahmundry that led to the death of several devotees. My deepest condolences to the families."

"I hope adequate arrangements have been made to ensure the safety of all visiting pilgrims & devotees."