Thu Jan 09 01:24:11 UTC 2025: ## Tirupati Temple Stampede Kills Six, Injures Many
TIRUPATI, INDIA – Six people died and several others were injured in a stampede at the Tirupati Venkateswara Temple on Thursday. The incident occurred during the distribution of tokens for the Vaikuntha Ekadashi darshan, a major annual event at the temple.
According to reports, thousands of devotees had gathered at the temple since early morning to obtain the tokens, leading to overcrowding and a surge of people at the token distribution counters. The stampede resulted in the deaths of three women and three men. At least one victim has been identified as Mallika from Salem, Tamil Nadu. Four of the deceased were pronounced dead at Ruia Hospital and two at SVIMS Hospital.
The incident happened around 9:00 AM, despite the token distribution being scheduled for 5:00 AM the following day. This year, the token distribution was organized at the lower part of the temple, a change from previous years. Nine counters were set up, but each queue reportedly had over 5000 people. The necessity of obtaining a token for darshan contributed to the heavy crowd.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via social media, offering his sympathies to the bereaved and wishing speedy recovery for the injured. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to visit Tirupati on Friday. Police are investigating the incident.
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