Thu Jan 09 05:11:39 UTC 2025: ## Six Devotees Killed in Tirupati Stampede Ahead of Vaikuntha Ekadasi
**TIRUPATI, Andhra Pradesh** – Six devotees died and several others were injured in a stampede at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati on [Date of incident]. The incident occurred last evening during the distribution of tokens for the upcoming Vaikuntha Ekadasi festival.
According to temple trust officials, the stampede was triggered when a gate at one of the token counters was opened to allow a woman who was feeling unwell to pass through. This caused a surge of devotees, resulting in the tragic loss of life. Tirupati Collector S Venkateswar stated that it took approximately 15 minutes to clear the area and evacuate the remaining devotees.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to visit Tirupati today to assess the situation and offer condolences to the victims’ families. An investigation into the incident is underway to determine the exact cause of the stampede and identify any measures needed to prevent future tragedies.
First Piper 