Last Updated:January 09, 2025, 09:22 IST

The stampede at Tirupati occurred when a large crowd surged forward as gates were opened to distribute tokens for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam. Six people died in the chaos.

Police personnel try to control the crowd as hundreds of devotees jostle for tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam in Tirupati (Photo: PTI)

Overcrowding at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills caused the stampede in Tirupati, which killed six people on Wednesday. According to officials, nearly 5,000 people came in together as the gates for tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam opened. Dozens of others were injured in the incident.

Commenting on how the stampede occurred, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman BR Naidu, “A DSP opened the gates and immediately everybody pushed ahead, which led to this stampede.”

He also said that there was some suspicion that it happened due to (the temple) administration.

“The reason (for the stampede) is overcrowding, and it is an unfortunate incident,” Naidu said while speaking to reporters.

Tirupati Municipal Commissioner Mourya, commenting on the stampede situation, said, “The situation was peaceful at every counter (to take tokens for darshan) except one at MGM school. A stampede occurred there when nearly 5,000 people came together at a time.”

Also speaking to the media, Board Member Bhanu Prakash Reddy said, “To distribute tokens for ‘Ekadasi Darshan’, we opened 91 counters. Unfortunately, a stampede happened. We will conduct an inquiry and take serious action.”

A woman who was present at the spot, told reporters, “A stampede occurred due to the heavy rush. As soon as the police officials opened the gate, the pilgrims rushed to purchase tokens. There was no such system for obtaining tokens earlier.”

“Out of 20 members of my family, six have been injured. We joined the queue at 11 o’clock. While waiting in the queue, we were provided with milk and biscuits. However, a large number of male pilgrims rushed for tokens, causing injuries to several women, who were then shifted to the hospital,” she said.

Another devotee, whose wife was one of the deceased, said, “While my wife and others were trying to obtain Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tickets, a stampede occurred, resulting in her death. I have informed our relatives and they are on their way.”

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

Soon after the stampede, videos of police personnel administering CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on a couple of woman devotees and injured persons being shifted in ambulances were widely shared on social media.

In an X post, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the deaths of the devotees.

“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 took place at a time 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.,” Naidu’s X post read.