Thu Jan 09 02:39:14 UTC 2025: **Tirupati Stampede Leaves Six Dead, Dozens Injured**
TIRUPATI, INDIA – A stampede during the distribution of tickets for the Vaikuntha Dwara Darshanam at Tirumala temple resulted in the death of six pilgrims and injuries to at least 48 others. The incident occurred Wednesday night in the Bairagipatteda area of Tirupati.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) had announced the release of 1.2 lakh tickets for the special darshan over three days (10th, 11th, and 12th of the month). Although the official release time was 5 AM Thursday, large crowds gathered at eight distribution centers from Wednesday morning.
Initial minor pushing and shoving occurred at a distribution center near Jeevakona. However, the major tragedy unfolded at Ramanayya Government Higher Secondary School in Bairagipatteda. Pilgrims, initially directed to Padmavathi Park to manage the crowd, surged forward when a gate was opened to provide medical assistance to a pilgrim experiencing breathing difficulties. The sudden rush led to the stampede.
The deceased include five women and one man, identified from various locations including Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The injured were rushed to Ruia and SVIMS hospitals in Tirupati. 32 are receiving treatment at Ruia, and 14 at SVIMS. TTD officials and board members visited the injured in the hospitals.
Tirupati Superintendent of Police (SP) Subbarayudu stated that the gate was opened to help the ailing pilgrim, but the subsequent surge of the crowd led to the tragic incident. He added that additional forces have been deployed to control the crowds and ensure better security at ticket distribution centers.
The TTD Executive Officer, Shyamala Rao, explained that the ticket distribution began eight hours ahead of schedule due to the unexpectedly large turnout. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed his anger at the incident and questioned the lack of adequate preparedness. The incident has prompted an investigation into the adequacy of crowd management and security measures.
First Piper 