Visakhapatnam: In a tragic incident at the historic Simhachalam Temple near Visakhapatnam, nine devotees lost their lives after a wall collapsed early Tuesday morning during the Chandana Mahotsavam festivities.The victims were reportedly standing in the Rs 300 special queue line, having arrived in the early hours to offer prayers on the auspicious occasion. According to preliminary reports, heavy overnight rainfall is believed to have weakened the structure, leading to the collapse.Rescue operations are underway, with officials and emergency responders working to retrieve bodies from beneath the debris. Several others are feared trapped, and the injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.This marks the second fatal accident at a temple in Andhra Pradesh in recent months. Earlier, six people were killed in a stampede at Tirupati during a religious event, raising concerns over safety and crowd management at major pilgrimage sites.Authorities have ordered an inquiry into the Simhachalam incident. Temple officials and local administration are under pressure to explain how such a lapse occurred despite the large crowds expected during the annual celebration.
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