According to a latest update, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to meet the families of six victims, including those who were injured in the stampede during the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival in Tirupati yesterday.
A statement released by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman B.R. Naidu confirmed the news.
TTD Additional Executive Officer Venkayya Chowdary visited Sri Venkateswara Ramnarayan Ruia Government General Hospital in Tirupati today and met the injured.
“We opened 91 counters for Ekadasi Darshan… it is unfortunate that the stampede happened. 6 died and 40 injured. We are providing the best medical facilities to them. This has never happened in TTD history. I apologize to the devotees. We will conduct an inquiry and take serious action,” said TTD Board member Bhanu Prakash Reddy to ANI.
CM Naidu is shocked and said it is unfortunate. He is monitoring the situation and warned this should not happen again.
Prime Minister Modi also expressed his condolences via a tweet: “My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover soon. AP Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected.”
The stampede happened when thousands of devotees and pilgrims waited for hours to get the limited tokens from the 93 counters opened to issue 1.2 lakh tokens for the first three days (9th, 10th and 11th January) of 10 day Vaikunta Dwara Darshan.
TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu said the tragedy occurred when a gate was opened to let out an unwell woman and the devotees rushed forward. This led to the stampede in which 6 lives including 3 women were lost and 40 injured.
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