Tirupati: At least six devotees died and dozens were injured in a stampede here on Wednesday night as hundreds of them jostled for tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills, said an official. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman BR Naidu said one body, that of a woman devotee from Salem, Tamil Nadu has been identified.
Stampedes also broke out at two other counters when the devotees pushed each other while entering the queues at the token issuing centres.
Stampedes at ticket issuing countres in Tirupati. (ETV Bharat) Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) had announced that Vaikunthadwara Sarvadarshan tokens will be issued on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of this month starting at 5 AM on Thursday. Devotees began lining up at the token issuing centres on Wednesday evening. The TTD had already announced that 1.20 lakh tokens would be issued in three days. Tickets will be issued at the Srinivasam, Vishnu Nivasam, Ramachandra Pushkarani, Alipiri Bhudevi Complex, Emaar Pally ZP High School, Bairagipatteda Ramanaidu High School, Satyanarayana Puram ZP High School and Indira Maidan centres.
Meanwhile, the staff made the devotees wait in the park instead of gathering on the roads for Vaikunthadwara Sarva Darshan tokens. Devotees were let into the queue lines from Padmavati Park. A scuffle suddenly broke out while the devotees were being let into the queue lines. A scuffle broke out as security was not arranged at the token issuance centres. Devotees are expressing anger that the arrangements were not made properly. Sheds were erected at Vishnu Nivasam and Bhudevi Complex for the waiting devotees.
CM Naidu Closely Monitoring The Incident
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is closely monitoring the incident and will meet the families of the victims of the stampede on Thursday.
The statement reads, "It is an unfortunate event, 6 pilgrims lost their lives. So far, only one pilgrim has been identified, while the others are yet to be identified. N Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is very serious about the incident and has expressed dissatisfaction with the officials' management during a teleconference. The Chief Minister will visit the families of the deceased tomorrow at 11:45 am. CM has warned that such incidents should not be repeated and is closely monitoring updates on the issue"
PM Modi, LoP Rahul Express Grief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the demise of the individuals who lost their lives in a tragic stampede that occurred near Vishnu Nivasam in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati.
PM Modi stated that the state government is providing all possible assistance to the victims of the incident. In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister's Office wrote, "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: PM @narendramodi."
Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences for those who lost their lives in the tragic stampede.
In the aftermath of the incident, Rahul Gandhi urged Congress leaders and workers to provide all possible assistance during this difficult time.In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Rahul Gandhi wrote, "The tragic stampede in Tirupati is deeply saddening. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing a swift recovery to all those injured. I urge Congress leaders and workers to provide all possible assistance during this difficult time."
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