President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief over the loss of lives during the stampede at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.
In a social media post, the President extended her condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
The Prime Minister said, his thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones. Mr Modi also prayed speedy recovery of the injured. He added that the State Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected.
At least six people lost their lives and several others were injured after a stampede broke out in Tirupati town during the distribution of tokens Vaikunta Ekadasi Darshanam yesterday.
Andhra Pradesh announces ₹25 lakh ex-gratia for Tirupati stampede victims
The Andhra Pradesh government has announced an ex-gratia of 25 lakh rupees for the families of the victims who lost their lives during the stampede in Tirupati yesterday. Several state ministers visited the hospital in Tirupati where the injured were admitted and assured them of free medical treatment. The Ministers also met the family members of the deceased and assured them of all possible support. The State government has arranged special vehicles to transport the mortal remains of the deceased to their native places.
Meanwhile, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) said that it has completed the token issuance process for the first three days of Vaikunta Dwaara Darshan to be held from the 10th to the 12th of this month.
Only devotees with these tokens will be allowed darshan on these days. The TTD also said that Vaikunta Dwaara Darshan tickets will be issued daily from the 13th to the 18th of this month at Srinivasam, Vishnu Nivaasam and Bhudevi Complex in Tirupati.
6 killed, 29 injured in stampede in Tirupati
In Andhra Pradesh, six people died in a stampede at the token issuing counter in Tirupati yesterday evening for the Vaikunta Ekadasi Darshanam scheduled from 10 to 12 January. About 40 people have been hospitalized due to injuries. This incident happened in Tirupati town and not on the hilltop of Tirumala where the temple is located.
The Vaikunta Ekadasi darshan is considered auspicious by the devotees and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has organised 94 counters at three different locations in Tirupati for issuing of 1 lakh 20 thousand tokens. The stampede happened at the token issuing counter set up near the Ramanaidu school.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu condoled the deaths and directed the officials to provide the best medical care to the injured. He will visit Tirupati this afternoon and review the situation. Meanwhile, the Executive Officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) said that an enquiry has been ordered and corrective measures will be taken. A control room and emergency helpline number 0877-2236007 have been established to provide information and assist the injured.