Tragedy Strikes: Six Dead, 35 Injured in Andhra Pradesh Temple Stampede

Tragedy struck near the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, popularly known as Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, India, as a stampede resulted in the deaths of at least six people and left 35 others injured. The incident occurred on a day when thousands of devout hindus gathered to secure free visit passes to the temple, which is renowned for its rich heritage and significance in Hinduism.

Auspicious Period and Ticket Distribution

The period from Friday to Jan. 19 is considered auspicious for visits to the deity at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, attracting a large number of devotees. Authorities revealed that the stampede took place when the gate to the ticket counters was opened, leading to a chaotic surge of around 2,500 people pushing through simultaneously. The situation escalated quickly, resulting in a tragic fall of a few individuals amidst the stampede.

The Response and Investigation

Eyewitnesses described the chaos as people who had queued early for the passes began to push and jostle each other, culminating in the stampede. The incident occurred between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. outside a school located a few miles from the temple, where state authorities had set up counters for ticket distribution. Authorities are currently investigating the root cause of this unfortunate occurrence.

Apologies and Political Reactions

The temple operator, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), extended their apologies for the incident, vowing to take action against anyone found responsible for the tragedy. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, a key ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visited the site of the stampede and also took the time to meet some of the injured individuals in the hospital. The opposition party, YSR Congress Party, led by Naidu's predecessor Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, attributed the incident to an administrative failure and criticized the state government.

Condolences and Call for Accountability

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media platform X, sharing his thoughts with those who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate incident. As investigations unfold, there are growing calls for accountability and measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.