A tragic stampede in Tirupati on Wednesday evening claimed the lives of six devotees and left over 40 injured near Vishnu Nivasam. The incident occurred during the distribution of tokens for the highly anticipated Vaikunta Dwara Sarva Darshan, set to begin on January 10.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and flagged serious lapses in the monitoring system. Speaking at a review meeting, the CM emphasized the need for better crowd management to prevent such incidents. Following the mishap, two officials were suspended for failing to ensure proper arrangements.
The deceased include Shanthi, a woman from Visakhapatnam, whose husband learned of her death through a viral video. Survivors recounted the horror, describing moments of chaos as devotees jostled for tickets.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan visited the victims at the hospital, while opposition leaders criticized the state administration for its handling of the event. TTD Chairman BR Naidu attributed the tragedy to overcrowding and apologized to devotees, promising a detailed investigation.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced financial assistance for the family of a victim from Salem, and Union Ministers, including Amit Shah and S. Jaishankar, conveyed their condolences. Prime Minister Narendra Modi backed the state government’s relief efforts, urging authorities to ensure adequate measures for the injured.
The stampede highlights the urgent need for improved crowd control measures, particularly during large-scale religious events. As the Vaikunta Dwara Darshan continues, authorities are under pressure to prevent further incidents and restore the faith of the devotees.
