Twenty seven people have died and several others have been injured in a stampede during Godavari Pushkaram festival in Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday. The tragedy occurred when a large number of pilgrims rushed towards one of the gates at Kotagummam pushkar ghat on the banks of Godavari River to take the holy dip. The injured were brought to Rajahmundry government hospital, where the condition of some of them is stated to be critical. Tragedy struck couple of hours after Godavari Pushkaralu began on Tuesday morning.
Hindupur MLA and actor Nandamuri Balakrishna took the media to express his pain at the loss of lives. He said, “This is an unfortunate incident even after all the precautions taken and monitored by the government. My condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers with the injured. We are rushing medical teams to help the victims. Our government will help those victims. Request people not to panic and head to other ghats to avoid overcrowding at a single ghat. I request my fans also to do their bit to help the victims.”
