A tragic incident erupted in Andhra Pradesh's temple town of Tirupati on Wednesday evening as a stampede claimed six lives and left over 30 injured, some critically, during the issuance of Vaikunthadwara Sarvadarshan tokens.
The incident unfolded around 8 pm when Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials began distributing tokens at various centres, including Vishnu Nivasam, Srinivasam and Padmavati Park. The situation spiraled out of control when overcrowding escalated as gates were opened to assist an unwell devotee out of the queue.
Devotees, many of whom had waited in line since morning, surged forward in large numbers, triggering severe congestion. Lacking effective crowd management, the rush resulted in stampedes at two locations. She stated that out of twenty members of her family, six have been injured. She claimed that a large number of male pilgrims rushed for tokens which caused injuries to several women who were then shifted to the hospital.
Also Read: Tirupati Stampede: Six killed, several injured in stampede
Speaking to the media, she said, "A stampede occurred due to the heavy rush. As soon as the Police officials opened the gate, the pilgrims rushed to purchase tokens. There was no such system for obtaining tokens earlier. Out of twenty members of my family, six have been injured. We joined the queue at 11 o'clock. While waiting in the queue, we were provided with milk and biscuits. However, a large number of male pilgrims rushed for tokens, causing injuries to several women, who were then shifted to the hospital."
TTD had announced the distribution of 1.2 lakh tokens for Vaikunthadwara darshan scheduled on January 10 (Ekadasi). The tokens were to be issued at nine centres via 94 counters, but the sudden surge overwhelmed the process.
Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed profound sorrow over the tragic stampede in Tirupati, which claimed six lives. "The incident, caused by a massive crowd surge during token distribution, is deeply disturbing," he said.
Naidu assured that he is in constant contact with district and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials, monitoring the situation.
Eyewitnesses blamed poor crowd control for the disaster. "This tragedy could have been avoided if the post-Covid token system had been followed," said a devotee at Padmavathi Park holding area.
Read More: Tirupati Temple Stampede Live Updates
TTD Chairman BR Naidu was speaking to reporters after visiting the Sri Venkateswara Ramnarayan Ruia Government General Hospital in Tirupati, where he met the injured and reviewed their condition with doctors.
Calling the incident "unfortunate," BR Naidu stated that a detailed report would released soon and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu would provide further information about the incident.
BR Naidu said, "The reason (for the stampede) is overcrowding...it is an unfortunate incident...tomorrow CM will tell everything, today the complete report will come. A total of 6 people have died, some are from Tamil Nadu and some are from Andhra Pradesh. As of now, one body has been identified and 5 are yet to be identified..."
Meanwhile, TTD Board member Bhanu Prakash Reddy expressed his apologies for the incident and stated that the trust would conduct an inquiry in this regard and take appropriate action.
Reddy also informed that CM Naidu and the state Health Minister would visit Tirupati on Thursday morning.
Speaking to reporters, TTD Board Member Bhanu Prakash Reddy said that around 40 individuals were injured in the stampede and are receiving treatment in the hospital.
Bhanu Prakash Reddy stated, "To distribute tokens for 'Ekadasi Darshan', we opened 91 counters...it is unfortunate that stampede happened. 6 devotees died in the stampede, 40 have sustained injuries, we are providing the best medical facilities possible, to them. This has never happened in TTD history. I sincerely seek an apology from the devotees. We will conduct an inquiry and take serious action...tomorrow morning, CM and state Health Minister will visit Tirupati...."
As many as six people lost their lives and several others were injured after a stampede broke out near the Tirupati temple on Wednesday evening, according to officials from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
The incident occurred near Vishnu Niwasam close to the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter, during the distribution of 'darshan' tokens.
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Devotees, many of whom had waited in line since morning, surged forward in large numbers, triggering severe congestion. Lacking effective crowd management, the rush resulted in stampedes at two locations. She stated that out of twenty members of her family, six have been injured. She claimed that a large number of male pilgrims rushed for tokens which caused injuries to several women who were then shifted to the hospital.
Also Read: Tirupati Stampede: Six killed, several injured in stampede
Speaking to the media, she said, "A stampede occurred due to the heavy rush. As soon as the Police officials opened the gate, the pilgrims rushed to purchase tokens. There was no such system for obtaining tokens earlier. Out of twenty members of my family, six have been injured. We joined the queue at 11 o'clock. While waiting in the queue, we were provided with milk and biscuits. However, a large number of male pilgrims rushed for tokens, causing injuries to several women, who were then shifted to the hospital."
TTD had announced the distribution of 1.2 lakh tokens for Vaikunthadwara darshan scheduled on January 10 (Ekadasi). The tokens were to be issued at nine centres via 94 counters, but the sudden surge overwhelmed the process.
Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed profound sorrow over the tragic stampede in Tirupati, which claimed six lives. "The incident, caused by a massive crowd surge during token distribution, is deeply disturbing," he said.
Naidu assured that he is in constant contact with district and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials, monitoring the situation.
Eyewitnesses blamed poor crowd control for the disaster. "This tragedy could have been avoided if the post-Covid token system had been followed," said a devotee at Padmavathi Park holding area.
Read More: Tirupati Temple Stampede Live Updates
What led Tirupati Temple Stampede?
The stampede that claimed six lives at Tirupati was caused by "overcrowding", said the Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).TTD Chairman BR Naidu was speaking to reporters after visiting the Sri Venkateswara Ramnarayan Ruia Government General Hospital in Tirupati, where he met the injured and reviewed their condition with doctors.
Calling the incident "unfortunate," BR Naidu stated that a detailed report would released soon and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu would provide further information about the incident.
BR Naidu said, "The reason (for the stampede) is overcrowding...it is an unfortunate incident...tomorrow CM will tell everything, today the complete report will come. A total of 6 people have died, some are from Tamil Nadu and some are from Andhra Pradesh. As of now, one body has been identified and 5 are yet to be identified..."
Meanwhile, TTD Board member Bhanu Prakash Reddy expressed his apologies for the incident and stated that the trust would conduct an inquiry in this regard and take appropriate action.
Reddy also informed that CM Naidu and the state Health Minister would visit Tirupati on Thursday morning.
Speaking to reporters, TTD Board Member Bhanu Prakash Reddy said that around 40 individuals were injured in the stampede and are receiving treatment in the hospital.
Bhanu Prakash Reddy stated, "To distribute tokens for 'Ekadasi Darshan', we opened 91 counters...it is unfortunate that stampede happened. 6 devotees died in the stampede, 40 have sustained injuries, we are providing the best medical facilities possible, to them. This has never happened in TTD history. I sincerely seek an apology from the devotees. We will conduct an inquiry and take serious action...tomorrow morning, CM and state Health Minister will visit Tirupati...."
As many as six people lost their lives and several others were injured after a stampede broke out near the Tirupati temple on Wednesday evening, according to officials from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
The incident occurred near Vishnu Niwasam close to the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter, during the distribution of 'darshan' tokens.
