Stampede At TTD Token Counters In Tirupati Leaves Six Dead, Several Injured

A stampede near Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan ticketing centres in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati on Wednesday (8 January) resulted in the death of six people and left several others injured.

The stampede took place in the presence of over 4,000 devotees and huge rush to get tokens for the 10-day special darshan.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said he was "deeply disturbed" and directed officials to implement proper relief measures for the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences to the bereaved families and offered prayers for the recovery of those injured.

Arranged by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the Vaikuntha Ekadasi and Vaikuntha Dwara Darshanam is scheduled from January 10 to January 19.

The Vaikuntha Ekadasi and Vaikuntha Dwara Darshanam, organised by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), is scheduled to take place from 10 to 19 January.

Chief Minister Naidu spoke to officials about the treatment being provided to the injured in the incident.

"The chief minister is keeping abreast of the current situation by speaking to district and TTD officials from time to time. He has ordered higher officials to go to the scene of the incident and take relief measures to ensure that the injured get better treatment," a government official said, NDTV reported.

Chief Minister Naidu is scheduled to visit Tirupati today (9 January) to meet the injured.

During his visit, he will also review the management and security of TTD token counters, where the incident took place.

District Collector Dr S Venkateswar and J C Shubham Bansal promptly arrived at Ruya Hospital, where they reviewed the situation and took steps to provide better treatment to the injured.

TTD EO Shyamala Rao, TTD JEO Gauthami, Veerabrahmam, MLA Arani Srinivasulu, and TTD member Bhanu Prakash Reddy, among others, visited Ruya Hospital to take stock of the condition of the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Tirupati stampede and extended prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.

"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@narendramodi," the PMO post read.

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