Six people have been killed and over 40 others injured after a stampede broke out near the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday evening. The incident occurred near Vishnu Nivasam, close to the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter, during the distribution of 'darshan' tokens.

A large number of devotees had gathered at the MGM High School at Bairagipatteda in Tirupati since morning to collect tokens for the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam (darshan of the deity from the northern entrance of the temple), which starts on January 10.

CREDIT: IANS

According to eyewitnesses, the crowd started moving uncontrollably after the gate was opened to let out a woman who was feeling uneasy.

Another eyewitness, who said six members of her family were injured in the stampede, claimed that a large number of male pilgrims rushed for tokens, resulting in the fatal accident.

CREDIT: ANI

"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," she said.

Videos posted on social media showed the swarm of devotees pushing and jostling towards the gate, leading to the stampede.

ని చేతకానీ దుర్మార్గ పరిపాలనతో ఇంకెంత మందిని పొట్టన పెట్టుకుంటావ్ @ncbn .?

సనాతన హిందూవుని అని దేవునితో రాజకీయం చేసే @PawanKalyan ఎక్కడ ఉన్నావ్..?.#TTD #Tirupati #TirumalaTirupathi #AndhraPradesh #CBNSadistRule pic.twitter.com/7Iv8sOcPWB

— Jagananna Connects (@JaganannaCNCTS) January 8, 2025

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which controls the temple, said overcrowding was the cause of the stampede.

#AndhraPradesh: A tragic stampede broke out at Vishnu Nivasam in #Tirupati during the issuance of Vaikunthadwara Sarvadarshan tokens.

The sudden surge of devotees led to chaos, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including a devotee from Salem, #TamilNadu. Four other… pic.twitter.com/CpnXpRJuXn

— South First (@TheSouthfirst) January 8, 2025

"To distribute tokens for 'Ekadasi Darshan', we opened 91 counters... it is unfortunate that a stampede happened. This has never happened in TTD history. I sincerely seek an apology from the devotees," TTD Board Member Bhanu Prakash Reddy said.

The Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala is one of the most famous temples in India. Last year, the temple was embroiled in a massive controversy over the alleged use of adulterated ghee to prepare the laddus given to devotees as prasadam.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.