Srikakulum, Nov 1: With the death of at least 10 devotees in the Venkateswar Swamy temple at Srikakulum in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, Trustee Hari Mukunda Panda was booked for culpable homicide.

“A case has been registered against the temple owner, Hari Mukunda Panda, under various sections under culpable homicide for the negligence that caused the death of the devotees,” said Srikakulam Superintendent of Police (SP) K.V. Maheswara Reddy.

The police official said that the incident occurred due to the collapse of an iron grill near the steps amid huge rush of devotees on the campus. The public, in fear, thought that something was falling and panicked. Following a buzzing sound of the metallic gate, devotees scampered away wreaking fear for others.

At least ten devotees were killed and 13 others were critical in the stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple today.

Most of the casualties are women devotees who were entering the temple for holy Kartik darshan, said sources.

The stampede occurred due to a sea of devotees at the temple during Kartika Ekadashi.

Police confirmed the toll saying "The stampede occurred at Venkateswara temple in Kasibugga town at around 11.30 am. Sea of people entered the temple campus for darshan while the incident took place.

Rescue operations are underway. However, the death toll is expected to rise further as scrore of devotees were spotted from the scene in critical conditions.

The injured were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Police headed by the district admin are taking stock of the incident while an investigation has been ordered in this connection.