Visakhapatnam: A religious celebration turned into a tragedy in the early hours of Wednesday when a newly constructed wall collapsed at the historic Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam, claiming the lives of eight devotees and injuring several others.

The incident occurred during the annual Chandanotsavam festival, a major event that draws thousands of devotees who gather to witness the rare darshan of the deity in its true form. The collapse took place along the Ghat Road leading to the temple, where devotees had queued up for the early morning rituals.

Preliminary reports suggest that heavy overnight rainfall weakened the structure, leading to its collapse. The devotees were standing in the special Rs 300 queue line when the wall gave way.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the incident, confirming that he has spoken with district authorities and directed them to ensure immediate medical care for the injured. "I am deeply saddened by the deaths of devotees during Chandanotsavam. All necessary assistance will be extended to the victims’ families," he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also expressed condolences and assured the state’s support for the bereaved families. "It is deeply unfortunate that such a tragedy occurred during a sacred celebration," he said.

Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party chief Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy called the incident a "heart-wrenching tragedy" and offered his condolences to the victims' families.

State Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu described the incident as a "great trauma" and urged health officials to enhance medical support at the scene and hospitals.

Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy confirmed that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and ambulances had been deployed for rescue and relief efforts. "We have ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident. The district collector, home minister, and other top officials are already at the site," he said.

Visakhapatnam District In-charge Minister Dola Sri Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy noted that officials had worked for over a month to prepare for the festival and added, "It is unfortunate that untimely rains led to such a tragic outcome."

The incident has once again raised concerns over safety and infrastructure preparedness at major religious gatherings in Andhra Pradesh, following a similar tragedy earlier this year when six people were killed in a stampede at Tirumala.