At least six people were crushed to death, and 25 were rushed to the hospital following a stampede near Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati temple late on Wednesday evening.

The chaos erupted at three places as hundreds of devotees rushed to secure tokens for the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam starting January 10. Overwhelmed by the crowd, the ticketing centre became the site of the tragic incident.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock at the incident and directed senior officials to oversee relief efforts and ensure proper medical care for the injured. Naidu is expected to visit the site of the tragedy on Thursday morning.

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TTD executive blames the gate for not holding the crowd

VIDEO | Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams executive officer (EO) Shyamala Rao speaks on stampede in which at least six devotees died and dozens were injured on Wednesday night as hundreds of them jostled for tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on… pic.twitter.com/yorjfRIUuS

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 8, 2025

# ‘Purely an accident’: Temple Chairman BR Naidu

BR Naidu, chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), said Wednesday’s stampede which claimed at least 6 lives and left dozens injured was “an accident”.

”A DSP opened the gates…and immediately everybody pushing ahead led to this stampede and reports are emerging that six persons died,” Naidu told a vernacular news channel.

VIDEO | Andhra Pradesh: “It is purely an accident,” says TTD Chairman BR Naidu (@BollineniRNaidu) during a press conference regarding the Tirupati stampede.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz)#AndhraPradesh #Tirupati pic.twitter.com/rH7hiD1sZd

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 8, 2025

# PM Modi says he’s pained by the stampede

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

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 8, 2025

# TTD should have made better arrangements: Andhra Minister

Responding to the incident, Andhra Minister Nara Lokesh said the onus is on the Tirumala Tirupathi Devsasthanams (TTD) to ensure the safety of devotees and pilgrims.

“I am deeply saddened by the death of devotees in a stampede in different parts of Tirupati in the wake of the release of Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan tickets. TTD should make more elaborate arrangements to prevent such unfortunate incidents. The government stands by the families of the deceased devotees.”

# CM to visit site in the morning and review rescue efforts

Naidu is scheduled to visit Tirupati on Thursday to personally assess the situation and ensure that all necessary measures are being taken.

# Chandrababu Naidu monitoring the situation

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu wrote on X,”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 occurred when devotees had gathered in large numbers for tokens, deeply disturbed me. 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.”

# A disaster waiting to happen

The stampede occurred at three locations where Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tickets were to be issued on Thursday morning. Crowds had started building up from Wednesday morning and chaos erupted as devotees rushed to the counters when they opened.