Tragedy Strikes as Devotees Jostle for Vaikunta Ekadasi Tickets
TIRUPATI: A devastating stampede occurred late on Wednesday evening (January 8, 2025) at the ticket issuing counters for the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival at the Tirumala temple, leaving six people dead and more than 20 others critically injured. The incident unfolded at the Ramachandra Pushkarini token issue counter, where a massive crowd had gathered in hopes of securing tickets for the highly anticipated festival on January 10, 2025.
Overwhelming Crowd Leads to Chaos at Ticket Issuing Counters
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board had set up around 90 counters across various locations in Tirupati, including Vishnu Nivasam, Bairagipatteda, and Ramachandra Pushkarini, announcing that tickets would be available starting at 5 a.m. on Thursday (January 9, 2025). This announcement drew tens of thousands of devotees, eager to ensure a place for the sacred darshan during the festival.
However, the crowd quickly became unmanageable, and the lack of sufficient arrangements led to a dangerous crush as people jostled for position. Pushing and shoving escalated as people fought for access to the ticket counters, resulting in the deadly stampede.
Police Struggle to Control Crowd as Stampede Erupts
The sheer scale of the crowd made it difficult for local police to maintain control of the situation. Chaos ensued as the stampede intensified, leading to several people being trampled underfoot. Emergency services quickly arrived on the scene to assist the injured, but the overwhelming number of people made the rescue efforts challenging.
Injured Devotees Rushed to Hospital for Treatment
The injured were immediately transported to the Sri Venkateswara Ramnarain Ruia Hospital, a government-run facility in the region, where they are currently receiving medical attention. Authorities have not yet released the names of the deceased or the critically injured, though the situation remains tense as doctors continue to work tirelessly to save lives.
Chief Minister Expresses Shock, Calls for Accountability
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his deep shock and sorrow over the tragic incident. In a statement, he urged TTD and police officials to provide the best possible medical care to the victims. Naidu also emphasized the need for strict action against employees or officials who were responsible for the inadequate crowd management, which contributed to the disaster.
Questions Raised Over Safety Measures During Religious Festivals
The tragic stampede has raised serious concerns about the safety protocols in place for managing large crowds during religious events. With thousands of devotees gathering annually for festivals like Vaikunta Ekadasi, authorities are now facing intense scrutiny over the preparedness and safety measures for such high-demand occasions.
The incident has prompted calls for a thorough review of crowd management strategies, with many urging for improved security measures and better planning to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
Investigation Underway, Authorities Seek Answers
An investigation into the stampede is currently underway as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the tragic loss of life. The focus will be on identifying the failures in crowd management and taking necessary actions to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
The community remains in mourning as the families of the deceased grieve their loss, and those injured await their recovery. Meanwhile, authorities are likely to implement stronger measures to ensure the safety and well-being of devotees in future events.
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