AP CM Chandrababu Naidu Condoles Deadly Tirupati Stampede, Will Visit Injured Devotees Today

Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh experienced massive chaos and commotion after a stampede erupted among a crowd of over 4,000 devotees queuing for tokens for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam, a special pilgrimage visit to the spiritual city.

The incident, which has claimed six lives so far, was triggered by an overwhelming influx of devotees who had begun gathering a day before the distribution of Vaikuntha Ekadashi tokens.

Photo Credit: PTI

According to a statement from the DIPRO, Tirupati, eight locations in Tirumala had been designated for distributing the special darshan tokens ahead of Vaikuntha Ekadashi.

"We accept that the administration was negligent. A DSP opened the gates... and immediately everybody pushing ahead led to this stampede, and reports are emerging that six persons died. One of the deceased has been identified. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will meet the injured people today," Naidu told a vernacular news channel.

A video from the scene showed hundreds of devotees jostling and trying to enter the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam through a narrow passage as local police attempted to manage the crowd.

Another video depicted police officers performing CPR on a couple of female devotees, with injured individuals being transported in ambulances.

Following the incident, the Chief Minister instructed senior district officials to reach the site and oversee the relief efforts.

"The death of several devotees in a stampede near Vishnu Niwasam in Tirupati for tokens to visit Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara has shocked me. This tragic incident, which took place at a time when devotees had gathered in large numbers for tokens, deeply disturbed me. In the wake of information that the condition of some of them is critical, I have directed higher officials to go to the spot and take relief measures... to provide better medical treatment to the injured and save their lives. I am talking to the district and TTD officials from time to time and am taking stock of the situation," said N Chandrababu Naidu in a post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences over the deaths of six devotees in Tirupati.

In a post on X, the PMO stated, "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."

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also reacted to the tragedy, describing the stampede as deeply saddening and urging Congress workers to provide assistance.

"The tragic stampede in Tirupati is deeply saddening. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing a swift recovery to all those injured," Gandhi wrote in a post on X.

"I urge Congress leaders and workers to provide all possible assistance during this difficult time," he added.