Simhachalam, 30 April (H.S.): At least eight people have died following a wall collapse at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam, during the Chandanotsavam festival. Heavy rains caused the 20-foot-long wall to collapse, leaving debris scattered across the temple grounds.

Andhra Pradesh Home Minister V Anitha reported soil loosening as the trigger for the incident. Rescue operations are ongoing, with NDRF teams and state authorities deployed to assist. Vinay Chan, Principal Secretary of the Endowment Department, noted significant rainfall occurred between 2:30 and 3:30 am, and investigations are underway to determine the causes.

Former BJP MLC Madhav remarked on the unfortunate timing of the collapse on Akshaya Tritiya, assuring that the government would investigate and provide compensation to the victims. The rescue work has reportedly concluded, with around eight fatalities confirmed.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar