6 Die In Stampede At Tirupati During Distribution Of Tokens To Offer Prayers

Six people died in a stampede at Vishnu Niwasam at Tirupati during the distribution of tokens for Vaikuntha Dwara Sarvadarshanam - a special 'darshan' for devotees for a period of 10 days, starting Friday.

A massive rush of devotees attempting to secure tokens resulted in the stampede. One of the devotees was from Tamil Nadu's Salem. Sixteen people were injured during the incident and were taken to the Ruia Hospital for treatment.

Visuals showed heavy police presence in the area and several people being shifted to ambulances. Witnesses said as many as 60 people fell on each other while collecting tokens at the counter. The massive rush led to the stampede. Some devotees alleged that there was negligence on the part of the police.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Board chairperson, BR Naidu, ruled out any conspiracy and said it was an accident. "I had suspected something could go wrong and warned officials not to take it easy. There were rumours spread that not everyone may be allowed in Tirumala," Mr Reddy said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu have condoled the deaths.

"Pained by the stampede in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover soon. The AP Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected," the Prime Minister's Office quoted him as saying.

"The death of several devotees in a stampede near Vishnu Niwasam in Tirupati for tokens to visit Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara has shocked me. This tragic incident, which took place at a time when devotees had gathered in large numbers for tokens, deeply disturbed me," Chief Minister Naidu said.

తిరుమల శ్రీవారి వైకుంఠ ద్వార దర్శనం టోకెన్ల కోసం తిరుపతిలోని విష్ణు నివాసం దగ్గర జరిగిన తోపులాటలో పలువురు భక్తులు మృతి చెందడం దిగ్భ్రాంతిని కలిగించింది. టోకెన్ల కోసం భక్తులు పెద్ద ఎత్తున తరలివచ్చిన సందర్భంలో చోటుచేసుకున్న ఈ విషాదకర ఘటన నన్ను తీవ్రంగా కలిచివేసింది. మరి కొందరి…

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) January 8, 2025

"In the wake of information that the condition of some of them is critical, I have directed higher officials to go to the spot and take relief measures... to provide better medical treatment to the injured and save their lives. I am talking to the district and TTD officials from time to time and am taking stock of the situation," he added. The chief minister will visit Tirupati tomorrow.

Many devotees were at the temple to offer prayers and the cops and other people were present for crowd management. Locals have alleged that ambulance drivers were missing, causing a delay in shifting the injured to the hospital.

The tokens were to be distributed from tomorrow at 5 am and people devotees had queued up for the same.

A probe has been initiated to see if there was any police negligence during managing the crowd.

Andhra MLA and TDP General Secretary, Nara Lokesh, said, "I am deeply saddened by the stampede that took place near Vishnu Niwasam in Tirupati in the wake of the release of Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan tickets, in which four devotees died. TTD should make more elaborate arrangements to prevent such unfortunate incidents. The government stands by the families of the deceased devotees."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the stampede was deeply saddening and extended condolences to the victims' families.

"The death of 6 devotees in the stampede at the ticket counters of Tirupati Vishnu Niwasam is extremely tragic. I express my deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased. In addition to providing better medical services to the injured devotees, the government should support the family members of the deceased in every way," Congress's YS Sharmila said.

"The reason for the stampede is the management shortcomings in the governance system. An immediate investigation should be conducted into this incident," she added.