At least six devotees died, and 29 others were injured in a stampede near Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan ticketing centres at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala Hills.

Preliminary reports suggest that thousands of devotees jostled for tokens for Vaikunta Dwara darshan at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple which triggered the stampede, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chief BR Naidu said.

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

“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,” TTD chairman told the media.

One of the videos that emerged from the spot showed hundreds of devotees jostling and trying to enter Vaikuna Dwara Darsanam from a narrow passage as the local cops tried to control the crowd. Another video from the spot showed police officials giving CPR on a couple of woman devotees and injured persons being shifted in ambulances went viral.

After the incident, the Chief Minister directed the senior officials of the district to reach the spot and oversight the relief work.

“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,” N Chandrababu Naidu said in a post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences after the death of six devotees in Tirupati.

In a post on X, the PMO said, “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.”

Reacting to the tragedy, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the stampede in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati temple is deeply saddening and urged the Congress workers to provide all possible assistance in this difficult time.

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

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