- Incident: A stampede near the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter at the Tirupati temple resulted in six fatalities and 40 injuries.
- Location: The stampede occurred at Vishnu Niwasam, during the distribution of ‘darshan’ tokens for the Ekadasi Darshan event.
Official Response and Actions Taken
- Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman BR Naidu and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu have been closely monitoring the situation.
- CM Naidu expressed dissatisfaction over the management of the event and is expected to meet the families of the victims on Thursday at 11:45 AM. He also emphasized that such incidents should not recur.
- TTD Chairman and Board Member Bhanu Prakash Reddy visited the Sri Venkateswara Ramnarayan Ruia Government General Hospital to assess the condition of the injured.
Casualties and Injuries
- Fatalities: 6 pilgrims have lost their lives.
- Injuries: 40 individuals were injured, and they are receiving medical treatment at the hospital.
- The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has promised to provide the best medical care to the injured.
Apology and Investigation
- Bhanu Prakash Reddy expressed his grief and apologized to the devotees, calling the incident unprecedented in TTD history.
- TTD officials confirmed an inquiry will be conducted into the stampede, and serious action will be taken.
- Executive Officer Shyamala Rao also confirmed that the death toll has risen to 6, with 40 people injured.
Conclusion
This tragic incident at one of the holiest sites in India has prompted state officials and TTD to take immediate action. The authorities are conducting an investigation, while ensuring the injured receive the necessary medical treatment. Chief Minister Naidu’s visit and his dissatisfaction with the incident indicate that the state is taking steps to prevent future occurrences at religious events of this scale.