<p>Hyderabad: At least six devotees, including three women, died and several others were critically injured in a stampede at Vishnu Nivasam in <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/tirupati">Tirupati</a> during the distribution of Vaikunta Dwara Sarva Darshan tokens. The incident occurred when a large number of people rushed to collect tokens, leading to chaos.</p><p>Around 40 people have been shifted to SVIMS and RUIA hospitals from the stampede spot. Of them, 6 have been confirmed dead. Five deceased are women and one man. One deceased woman has been identified from Salem and another from Narasipatnam. Condition of remaining 34 is stable. Tirupati collector Dr S Venkateswar says we are providing them with the best treatment.</p><p>The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) had arranged to issue tokens for the darshan starting January 9. As a result, devotees began queueing up from Wednesday evening. Large lines were set up in Alipiri, Srinivasa, Satyanarayanapuram, Padmavathipuram and also at Vishnu Nivasam, a TTD accommodation complex opposite Tirupati Railway Station.</p>.Tirupati stampede: Andhra CM Naidu holds high-level meeting, to visit injured on Thursday.<p>“All arrangements have been made. We didn't expect this many devotees would turn up to take the tokens. Devotees from other states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka have come in large numbers,” said a TTD official.</p><p>Due to the massive influx of devotees, there was a stampede in the queue lines, causing severe discomfort to the devotees. TTD had arranged to issue Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tokens through 94 counters at 9 Tirupati centres starting Thursday. </p><p>“One devotee fell ill during the incident. To transport them to the hospital, the main gate was opened. This led to a sudden rush of devotees in large numbers, resulting in the unfortunate incident. It is feared that the number of victims injured in the stampede may increase further,” said an eyewitness.</p><p>TTD planned Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam for 10 days from January 10 to 19. TTD planned to issue 1.2 lakh tokens at 90 counters set up at eight centres in Tirupati and four counters at one centre set up at Tirumala on January 9 from 5 am onwards. Already 1.40 lakh tickets and 19,500 SRIVANI tickets were released online for ten days of Vaikuntha Dwara darshan.</p><p>Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed <a href="https://x.com/ncbn/status/1877042432518631880">deep shock</a> at the demise of four pilgrims in the stampede that took place at Vishnu Nivasam.</p><p>The chief minister said that he is deeply saddened at the ghastly incident in which four pilgrims lost their lives that took place as the devotees gathered in large numbers for the darshan tokens. The Chief Minister enquired from the officials about the treatment being given to those who sustained grievous injuries in the incident. </p><p>Naidu said he is closely monitoring the treatment being given to the injured and other developments. The Chief Minister directed the officials to visit the place and take all possible steps for providing relief to the devotees besides ensuring that better medical treatment is provided to the injured, said CMO.</p><p>PM Modi also expressed his grief on the incident.</p>.<p>"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," PMO quoted PM Modi in a post on X.</p>
<p>Hyderabad: At least six devotees, including three women, died and several others were critically injured in a stampede at Vishnu Nivasam in <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/tirupati">Tirupati</a> during the distribution of Vaikunta Dwara Sarva Darshan tokens. The incident occurred when a large number of people rushed to collect tokens, leading to chaos.</p><p>Around 40 people have been shifted to SVIMS and RUIA hospitals from the stampede spot. Of them, 6 have been confirmed dead. Five deceased are women and one man. One deceased woman has been identified from Salem and another from Narasipatnam. Condition of remaining 34 is stable. Tirupati collector Dr S Venkateswar says we are providing them with the best treatment.</p><p>The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) had arranged to issue tokens for the darshan starting January 9. As a result, devotees began queueing up from Wednesday evening. Large lines were set up in Alipiri, Srinivasa, Satyanarayanapuram, Padmavathipuram and also at Vishnu Nivasam, a TTD accommodation complex opposite Tirupati Railway Station.</p>.Tirupati stampede: Andhra CM Naidu holds high-level meeting, to visit injured on Thursday.<p>“All arrangements have been made. We didn't expect this many devotees would turn up to take the tokens. Devotees from other states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka have come in large numbers,” said a TTD official.</p><p>Due to the massive influx of devotees, there was a stampede in the queue lines, causing severe discomfort to the devotees. TTD had arranged to issue Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tokens through 94 counters at 9 Tirupati centres starting Thursday. </p><p>“One devotee fell ill during the incident. To transport them to the hospital, the main gate was opened. This led to a sudden rush of devotees in large numbers, resulting in the unfortunate incident. It is feared that the number of victims injured in the stampede may increase further,” said an eyewitness.</p><p>TTD planned Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam for 10 days from January 10 to 19. TTD planned to issue 1.2 lakh tokens at 90 counters set up at eight centres in Tirupati and four counters at one centre set up at Tirumala on January 9 from 5 am onwards. Already 1.40 lakh tickets and 19,500 SRIVANI tickets were released online for ten days of Vaikuntha Dwara darshan.</p><p>Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed <a href="https://x.com/ncbn/status/1877042432518631880">deep shock</a> at the demise of four pilgrims in the stampede that took place at Vishnu Nivasam.</p><p>The chief minister said that he is deeply saddened at the ghastly incident in which four pilgrims lost their lives that took place as the devotees gathered in large numbers for the darshan tokens. The Chief Minister enquired from the officials about the treatment being given to those who sustained grievous injuries in the incident. </p><p>Naidu said he is closely monitoring the treatment being given to the injured and other developments. The Chief Minister directed the officials to visit the place and take all possible steps for providing relief to the devotees besides ensuring that better medical treatment is provided to the injured, said CMO.</p><p>PM Modi also expressed his grief on the incident.</p>.<p>"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," PMO quoted PM Modi in a post on X.</p>