Thu Jan 09 19:18:59 UTC 2025: **Temple Stampede Kills Six in India**
TIRUPATI, INDIA – A stampede at the Tirupati Balaji Temple in Andhra Pradesh, India, left six people dead and dozens injured on Wednesday night. The incident occurred as thousands of devotees rushed to obtain tickets for the upcoming 10-day Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan festival, a highly auspicious event attracting hundreds of thousands annually.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as the crowd surged toward the over 90 ticket counters. Reports indicate insufficient police presence contributed to the tragedy. Temple officials admitted to overcrowding as the cause, with Bhanu Prakash Reddy, a board member of the temple trust, issuing a public apology and stating that such an incident was unprecedented in the temple’s history.
The temple, one of the richest in India, anticipated 700,000 attendees for the festival. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed sorrow and is scheduled to visit the site, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered the state government’s full assistance to those affected. Authorities have promised a thorough investigation and strict action against any temple employees deemed responsible. The injured are receiving treatment at a government hospital. The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns at large religious gatherings in India.
First Piper 