A terrible tragedy has taken place in Simhachalam. During the Chandanotsavam, a wall collapsed near the Rs. 300 ticket counter due to wind and rain. Eight devotees died in this incident. 10 others were seriously injured. It is believed that some others are under the rubble. Three women are among the dead. Official confirmation of the deaths is yet to be made.
The death toll is likely to rise further. Rescue personnel from NDRF and SDRF have reached the scene of the incident and are taking relief measures. Home Minister Anita, the District Collector, Harendhira Prasad and CP Shankhabrata Bagchi, who reached the scene, are reviewing the situation. Meanwhile, the bodies are being shifted to KGH Hospital.
Heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning fell at 2.30 am on Wednesday, during the Chandanotsavam in Simhachalam. In this process, a huge wall collapsed. The wall was built there under the Prasadam scheme. Development is being done there. As part of that, a wall was built. There is a Rs. 300 ticket line on the side of that wall.
The wall fell on the devotees passing through the queue line from that side. 17 ambulances have been arranged to evacuate the injured. Relief efforts are ongoing. State Revenue Minister Anani Satya Prasad expressed deep shock over the wall collapse incident in Simhachalam. He said that it is deeply saddening that 8 devotees died and many were injured due to the wall collapse due to heavy rains and strong winds.
The minister said that they are monitoring the relief efforts in the area where the wall collapsed along with ministers and officials, and that the government will support the families of the deceased and provide better treatment to the injured. Devotees need not fear, SDRF teams are carrying out large-scale rescue operations, he said.
Home Minister Anitha said that the situation at the site of the wall collapse in Simhachalam is being reviewed and rescue operations are being monitored. She said that a cement wall collapsed on the Rs. 300 ticket queue at the shopping complex on the way up from Simhagiri bus stand.
She said that arrangements have been made to shift the injured to the hospital under the leadership of NTRF, SDRF, Fire and Police department personnel. The Home Minister also said that the District Collector and Police Commissioner are monitoring the rescue operations.