India, Nov. 1 -- At least nine devotees were killed and several others injured in a stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga, Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district, on Saturday. The tragedy occurred when thousands gathered at the privately-run temple on the occasion of Ekadashi, leading to overcrowding and the collapse of a railing.

Authorities said the incident could have been avoided had the temple management coordinated with officials about the expected surge of devotees.

Soon after the incident, several statements from the government and ministers of the ruling TDP highlighted that the temple was "privately owned and not managed by the Endowments Department." They also noted that local authorities had not been informed ...