Tirupati stampede: Rahul Gandhi condoles death of devotees

Congress MP and leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, 8 January, condoled the death of devotees who died during a stampede at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.

Taking to X, the Congress leader wrote, “The tragic stampede in Tirupati is deeply saddening. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing a swift recovery to all those injured.”

He also urged the Congress leaders and workers to provide all possible assistance during this difficult time.

Four devotees were killed and some others were injured in the stampede that occurred at three places during the sale of Tirumala temple darshan tickets in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati on Wednesday night.

The incident took place at three places where Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tickets were to be issued on Thursday morning.

A large number of devotees had gathered to stand in queues for special darshan tickets, leading to the stampede.

Meanwhile, top leaders of several political parties such as Bharatiya Janata Party, Telugu Desam Party, Bharat Rashtra Samithi, Aam, Aadmi Party etc. have also expressed grief over those who lost their lives in a tragic stampede that occurred near Vishnu Nivasam in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati.

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said she was distressed to know the loss of lives of devotees due to a stampede in Tirupati, and offered her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

She also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

"Distressed to know that a stampede in Tirupati led to loss of life of many devotees. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for speedy recovery of the injured," Murmu said in a post on X.

Union minister Bandi Sanjay requested the Andhra Pradesh government to provide all possible and best medical care to the injured and prayed for their speedy recovery.

Taking to social media X, Bandi Sanjay wrote, "Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede in Tirumala resulting in the loss of devotees' lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Requesting the Andhra Pradesh government to ensure the injured receive the best medical care and praying for their speedy recovery."

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal also expressed his grief and prayed for the peace of the departed souls in the incident.

"This accident that happened in Tirupati temple is very sad. May God give place to the departed souls in his lotus feet. I pray to God that the devotees who have been injured get well soon and return to their homes," Kejriwal posted on X.