Tirupati stampede: Stalin, EPS extend condolences, wishes for recovery

Tamil Nadu chief minister M. K. Stalin, leader of the opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) and Tamil Nadu Congress president K. Selvaperunthugai condoled the loss of lives in a stampede at the Tirupati Balaji temple.

The stampede occurred on 8 January, Wednesday, near Vishnu Nivasam, close to the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter, during the distribution of darshan tokens for the Vaikuntha Ekadashi event.

Officials from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) reported that six people had lost their lives, while several others were injured.

CM Stalin expressed his grief on social media platform X. He said: 'Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede at Tirupati, which has claimed innocent lives, including those from Tamil Nadu. My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident. Wishing the injured a swift recovery.'

AIADMK general secretary and leader of the opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami also shared his sorrow on X, stating: 'I express my deepest condolences and sorrow to the families of all the devotees, including those from Tamil Nadu, who died in the stampede at the Tirupati temple. I pray that those who are seriously injured and hospitalised will make a speedy recovery.'

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K.S. Selvaperunthugai added: "It is shocking and heartbreaking to hear that four people have died so far in a stampede to buy tickets for the opening ceremony of the Sorkvavasal in Tirupati. Mallika from Salem also died in the stampede."

The TTD had set up around 90 counters at various locations in Tirupati, announcing that tickets would be made available starting at 5 a.m. on 9 January, Thursday. The announcement drew tens of thousands of devotees eager to secure their place for darshan. The overwhelming crowd at the counters, including those near Vishnu Nivasam, Bairagipatteda and Ramachandra Pushkarini, led to chaos.

Reports indicate that the arrangements were inadequate to manage the massive turnout. The police faced significant challenges in controlling the crowd. The injured were immediately rushed to the government-run Sri Venkateswara Ramnarain Ruia Hospital for treatment.