Visakhapatnam: Wall Collapse At Simhachalam Temple Kills 8 Including Techie Couple

Tragedy struck Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Simhachalam in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam when a cement wall collapsed on devotees in the early hours today, April 30. The wall collapsed following heavy rainfall in Simhachalam. At least eight devotees were killed in the incident which occurred hours before the beginning of the temple’s annual festival, Chandanotsavam. A techie couple from the Visakhapatnam district - Pilla Uma Maheswara Rao & Pilla Sailaja - was among those who lost their lives. Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu ordered an inquiry, forming a three-member committee to investigate the cause of the incident. He also announced an ex gratia payment of INR 25 lakh each to the families of the deceased.