Hundreds of devotees stampede at Tirupati, 6 killed during Vaikuntha Dwar Darshan token distribution.
Tirupati Temple Tragedy: A stampede near the Vaikuntha Dwar Darshan ticket counters at the renowned Tirupati Temple in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of 6 devotees and injuries to 25 others. Injured individuals were immediately admitted to hospitals. Thousands of devotees had queued up since morning for the Vaikuntha Dwar Darshan. The incident occurred when devotees were allowed to queue in the Baragi Patti-da Park. Police quickly intervened and brought the situation under control amidst the chaos.
Massive influx of devotees for Darshan
The Vaikuntha Dwar Darshan is being held between January 10th and 19th. A large number of devotees have flocked to Tirupati for the Darshan. Approximately 4,000 individuals were queuing at the token distribution centers, leading to the overcrowding. The Tirupati Police and administration took additional measures to manage the situation.
Chief Minister's Statement
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He stated that he is deeply distressed by the tragedy and has instructed for the best possible medical assistance to the injured. The Chief Minister spoke with the Temple Committee Chairman and reviewed relief operations. He will visit the hospitals to meet the injured on Thursday.
Condolences from Former Chief Minister
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the YSR Congress Party president and former Chief Minister of the state, offered his condolences on the tragic incident. He expressed sympathy for the bereaved families and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. He also appealed to the government to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured.
Administration Addresses the Situation
The District Collector of Tirupati, Dr. S. Venkateshwar, and Joint Collector Shubham Bansal immediately visited the hospitals to assess the situation. They took steps to ensure better treatment for the injured. Superintendent of Police Subbarayudu monitored the token distribution centers and instructed for smooth operations.
Protocols for Special Darshan
The Executive Officer of TTD, J. Shyamala Rao, informed that Vaikuntha Ekadashi and Vaikuntha Dwar Darshan are being held from January 10th to 19th. Extensive arrangements have been made for over 700,000 devotees. He stated that special protocols have been implemented to ensure a safe and smooth Darshan experience for all pilgrims. The protocols for Darshan commenced at 4:30 AM on January 10th, with the main Darshan beginning at 8 AM.
Post-incident Steps
The police and administration deployed additional personnel at the scene to maintain order. Stricter security measures and organized handling of large crowds are being implemented. The TTD has urged devotees to follow instructions and maintain calm.
