According to the reports on Thursday (9 January), a stampede at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati claimed six lives and injured 40 as devotees rushed to secure tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam. The incident occurred at a ticket counter near MGM School, where thousands of devotees gathered simultaneously, leading to chaos. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has expressed deep regret over the unprecedented tragedy.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu called the stampede shocking and directed officials to provide immediate relief and medical aid to the victims. He held a teleconference to review the situation and ensure accountability among temple employees. Naidu has also dispatched senior ministers to Tirupati to oversee relief efforts and meet with the victims’ families.
The TTD had set up 91 counters to manage the large crowds, yet the situation spiraled out of control at one location. TTD board member Bhanu Prakash Reddy apologized to devotees and assured a thorough inquiry into the incident. Measures are being taken to prevent such occurrences in the future, and efforts are ongoing to identify all victims and provide necessary support.
Political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, expressed condolences to the bereaved families and urged assistance for those affected. Gandhi described the tragedy as deeply saddening and called for solidarity during this difficult time. The stampede, a first in TTD’s history, has cast a shadow over the otherwise revered Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam festival.
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