Six dead, over 20 injured in stampede at darshan tickets issuing counters in Tirupati
The Hindu
Tragedy strikes as devotee dies in rush for tokens at Tirupati for Vaikunta Ekadasi festival.
Six devotees were killed and over 20 were critically injured in a stampede at counters to issue tickets for darshan at the Tirumala temple during Vaikunta Ekadasi festival, at Tirupati on Wednesday night (January 8, 2025), according to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Trust Board Chairman B.R. Naidu.
The TTD had set up around 90 counters at various locations in Tirupati and announced that tickets would be made available from 5 a.m. on January 9. The announcement drew tens of thousands of devotees, eager to ensure their place for darshan on January 10.
However, the overwhelming congregation at the centres, including Vishnu Nivasam, Bairagipatteda, and Ramachandra Pushkarini, led to chaos as the arrangements reportedly fell short of managing the swelling crowds.
Pulling and pushing among the frenzied devotees who vied with each other to reach the counters when they were let out to join the queue lines had led to the unfortunate incident. The police had a tough time in controlling the surging crowds.
The injured were immediately rushed to the government-run Sri Venkateswara Ramnarain Ruia (SVRR) Hospital for treatment. Authorities have yet to confirm the identities of the deceased and injured.
Meanwhile Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his shock over the incident and has instructed the TTD and Police officials to extend the best medical care. He called for strict action against the employees responsible for the incident.
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