7 dead in stampede during Chandra Babu Naidu's Nellore roadshow in Andhra

Hyderabad, Dec 28: Tragedy struck at the roadshow of former Andhra CM and Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandra Babu Naidu as several people are dead in a stampede on Wednesday.

At least seven people are dead and many injured in the incident after people accidentally fell in a drainage canal in Kandukur town. The mishap happened when the Leader of the opposition N Chandrababu Naidu was addressing a roadshow which was called off following the tragedy, as per the reports in the local media.

People gathered in large numbers at the meeting venue and there was some jostle among the public during the meeting, leading to a stampede-like situation at the canal, PTI reported. Sources have told the news agency that a clear picture of the incident would emerge later. The injured are undergoing treatment in a hospital.

"Massive crowds surged forward to listen to Naidu's speech. This resulted in a stampede-like situation and some of the people who were standing near Gundamkatta drainage outlet lost control and fell into the open drain," a party leader told a website.

The TDP chief has reportedly announced Rs 10 lakh financial assistance to the families of those who died in the stampede. He also asked the party leaders to ensure better medical care for the injured.

The local party leaders and the cops quickly took up the rescue operation."Since the people fell one over the other, seven people suffocated to death and six others sustained serious injuries. Police took the injured people to the nearby hospital," the TDP leader added.

BJP State General Secretary of Andhra Pradesh Vishnu Vardhan Reddy has responded to the incident on Twitter. He wrote, "more than 7 people died & many are injured in a stampede at TDP's public rally in Kandukuru, AP. I request the YSR Congress Party govt to provide emergency-medical support asap. I'm praying for the speedy recovery of the injured & my deepest condolences to the victim's family.. Om Shanti."