Crowd surge at Andhra temple leaves nine dead

At least nine people, including eight women and a child, died and dozens were injured in a crowd surge at the Swamy Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district during Ekadashi, officials said. A queue-control iron grille broke, triggering the rush. At least 16 are hospitalized and 20 others are under observation. The private temple, capacity 3,000, drew about 25,000. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh’s highest elected official N Chandrababu Naidu offered condolences; Naidu ordered an inquiry and promised strict action.