At least six people were killed and several others were injured in a stampede near Vishnu Nivasam in Tirupati on Wednesday night as devotess jostled for tokens for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills. The incident occurred as devotees had gathered to get tokens for darshan at the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara.

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Hundreds of devotees had turned up for the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam commencing from January 10.

"Three women and a man died in the stampede," an official told PTI news agency.

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Videos of volunteers and police personnel administering CPR to devotees and injured persons being shifted in ambulances went viral.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. In a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Naidu said he was deeply moved by the loss of lives and assured that all necessary steps were being taken to assist the injured.

The Chief Minister also spoke to officials, instructing them to ensure proper medical care for the victims. Additionally, Naidu directed senior officials to visit the site and oversee relief operations to facilitate the timely treatment of those affected.

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CM Naidu will visit Tirupati Thursday morning at 10:30. He will first visit the hospital and later hold a meeting with officials.

Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan also expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. 

“I am deeply distressed to know that six people died in the stampede that took place at the centres set up for Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan tickets in Tirupati. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. I suggest the Medical and Health Department to provide better medical services to the injured,” he said.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi expresses concern over this incident on X:

 

 

(With inputs from agencies)