Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu visited the accident site on Thursday to meet with the injured victims of the stampede that occurred on Wednesday night at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in the Tirumala Hills.
The stampede, which took place as devotees jostled for tickets for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam event, claimed six lives and left over 40 others injured.
Naidu will visit the SVR Ruia Government General Hospital and SVIMS Hospital, where the injured are being treated. He will also hold a review meeting with the Executive Officer and other officials to discuss the incident and examine the measures being taken to address the situation.
In a social media post, Naidu expressed his deep sorrow, stating, "The death of several devotees in a stampede near Vishnu Niwasam in Tirupati for tokens to visit Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara has shocked me." He assured that the injured would receive the best possible medical care and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased.
Tirupati District Collector S Venkateswar confirmed that the six victims included five women and one man. The deceased came from various locations, including Salem in Tamil Nadu and Narsipatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The stampede occurred at Bairagi Patteda, near MGM school in the temple town. Hundreds of devotees had gathered for the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam, which commences on January 10.