A stampede during a ticket distribution event in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, resulted in at least six fatalities on Wednesday evening. The chaos unfolded as hundreds of devotees jostled for tickets to the annual Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple, which is set to begin on January 10.
The incident occurred near Vishnu Niwasam when a large crowd surged forward, overwhelming the ticketing counters. Eyewitnesses reported that the situation escalated when officials opened the gates to assist an unwell devotee, prompting others to rush forward, leading to severe overcrowding and the tragic stampede.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed his shock and sorrow over the incident, stating that it deeply disturbed him. He has directed senior officials to provide immediate relief and medical assistance to those injured. Naidu is expected to visit the site to assess the situation firsthand.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials acknowledged the incident as unprecedented in their history and promised a thorough investigation. The TTD board member Bhanu Prakash Reddy apologized to the devotees and confirmed that they are providing medical care to the injured.
The stampede has drawn widespread attention, with condolences pouring in from various political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who expressed their sorrow and support for the affected families.