At least six people lost their lives, and over 40 others sustained injuries in a tragic stampede at Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati on Wednesday evening. The incident occurred amidst overcrowding and chaos as thousands of devotees gathered for tickets to the annual Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple.
The Event and Tragic Turn of Events
The stampede took place near the Vishnu Nivasam temple, where tokens for the darshan were being distributed at multiple counters. Eyewitnesses reported that by evening, the situation spiraled out of control as thousands jostled for tokens. Several women and elderly devotees were caught in the rush, with some sustaining severe injuries.
Visuals from the scene depicted a heavy police presence, ambulances ferrying injured devotees, and emergency responders performing CPR. According to a witness, over 60 individuals fell on one another during the chaos.
Inadequate Arrangements and Eyewitness Accounts
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), responsible for temple management, had set up 94 counters for token distribution. However, insufficient crowd control measures and sudden gate openings aggravated the situation.
An eyewitness who visited with 20 family members said, “The police opened the gates, and the crowd surged forward. Six of my family members were injured in the chaos.” Others criticised the lack of ambulances and delayed medical response.
Government and TTD Responses
The Andhra Pradesh government has ordered an inquiry into the incident. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced compensation for the victims’ families. He is scheduled to visit the site and meet affected families.
TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu called the incident “unfortunate” and ruled out conspiracy theories, labeling it an accident. The board has since convened an emergency meeting to address the lapses and ensure better arrangements for upcoming events.
Leaders Mourn and Call for Action
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, assuring that the state government is providing assistance to the victims. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi also shared their sorrow and called for immediate support to those affected.
Criticism was directed at the authorities for negligence, with some leaders attributing the stampede to administrative failures. Former CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy called for robust measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
As the annual Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam continues, authorities are under pressure to strengthen safety measures and prevent further mishaps. Devotees have been urged to remain cautious and adhere to crowd control guidelines during the event.
