Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], April 30 (ANI): A total of seven devotees lost their lives after a 20-foot-long stretch collapsed at the Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Visakhapatnam during the Chandanotsavam festival. Former BJP MLC Madhav spoke on the issue, saying it was an 'unfortunate' incident.

He stated that the accident occurred at 2:30 a.m. and that the government will investigate the matter. Madhav added that the seven victims of the accident will also be compensated.

'This is an unfortunate incident that has taken place on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya...it took place at 2.30 am in morning...The government will investigate the incident and will compensate the victims...', he said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief after the accident and shared a post on 'X' for the same. He paid his condolences who died in the incident and said that he has spoken to the District Collector and SP about the situation in the region.

'I am deeply saddened by the death of seven devotees due to the collapse of a wall during the Chandanotsavam of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. My deepest condolences to the families of those who died in this incident due to the collapse of a wall due to heavy rains. I have spoken to the District Collector and SP about the situation there. I have ordered that the injured be provided with treatment. I am reviewing the situation from time to time', the 'X' post said.

Meanwhile, after the accident, the search and rescue operations are underway by the teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force, an official said.

According to an SDRF jawan, the incident occurred around 2.30 am. 'Seven people died in the incident. The injured have been sent to the hospital for treatment...We immediately reached the spot after the incident was reported,' the SDRF jawan told ANI.

Vangalapudi Anitha, Home and Disaster Management Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has also reached the spot. Anitha told ANI that the incident was unfortunate. 'There was heavy rainfall. All precautions had been taken. It is an unfortunate accident', she said.

More information is awaited. (ANI)