Visakhapatnam, April 30: Seven people died, and four were injured after a 20-foot-long stretch of a makeshift structure collapsed during the Chandanotsavam festival at the Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Visakhapatnam in the early hours of Wednesday. 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. Visakhapatnam Wall Collapse: 7 Killed After Rain-Soaked Wall Collapses During Chandanotsavam Festival at Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh; Rescue Operations Underway (Watch Videos).

20-Foot-Long Stretch Collapses at Temple in Visakhapatnam

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," she said. More information is awaited.

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)