Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in the stampedes during the sale of Tirumala temple darshan tickets in Tirupati on Wednesday.
PM Modi Condoles Loss
The PMO took to X, quoting the Prime Minister, and wrote, “Pained by the stampede in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover soon. The AP Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected: PM.”
Causalities In Stampede
As per the reports, six devotees including five women were killed and 29 others were injured in stampedes at three places during the sale of Tirumala temple darshan tickets in Tirupati.
The incident occurred at three places where Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tickets were to be issued on Thursday morning. Many devotees gathered to stand in queues for special darshan tickets, leading to the stampede. Five women were among the devotees killed in the incident.
As many as 29 devotees were injured. They were shifted to Ruia and SVIMS hospitals.
The death toll may go up. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the affairs of the famous Tirumala temple, announced that special darshan tickets will be issued at 94 counters at nine places in Tirupati from 5 a.m. on Thursday.
However, a large number of devotees started gathering on Wednesday evening.
There was chaos when devotees were allowed at the counters. They pushed each other to surge forward, resulting in the stampede.
According to reports, there was a stampede at Srinivasam, Bairagipatteda, and Satyanarayanapuram. Police and TTD officials rushed to the spot and launched rescue and relief operations. The TTD planned to issue 1.20 lakh tokens on Thursday morning for Vaikunta Dwara Darshan on January 10, 11, and 12.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu Expresses Shock Over Death
Tirupati district Collector Venkateshwar and TTD Executive Officer Shyamala Rao rushed to Ruia Hospital Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan have expressed shock over the death of four devotees in the stampede.
The Chief Minister said in a statement that he was pained over the incident. He spoke to officials over the phone and directed them to ensure the best treatment for those injured.
Moreover, the former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has also expressed shock over the death of four devotees in the stampede.
Also Read: Andhra Pradesh: Stampede During Tirumala Darshan Ticket Sale Kills Six, Injures 29
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