Tirupati:Chandarbabu Naidu to Meet Hospitalized Victims Today
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is set to visit Tirupati on Thursday to meet with those injured in the tragic stampede that took place on Wednesday night. The stampede, which occurred as devotees scrambled for tickets for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple, resulted in the deaths of six people and left over 40 others injured. The Chief Minister’s visit is intended to assess the situation and provide support to the victims. Naidu is scheduled to visit two hospitals—SVR Ruia Government General Hospital and SVIMS Hospital—where the injured individuals are being treated. His visit will take place between noon and 3 pm on Thursday. Additionally, the Chief Minister is expected to hold a review meeting with senior officials, including the Executive Officer, to discuss the tragic incident and determine the necessary steps for preventing such events in the future.
Tirupati District Collector S. Venkateswar provided further details about the incident, confirming that of the six deceased victims, five were women, and one was a man. Among the deceased, one individual was from Salem in Tamil Nadu, while another was from Narsipatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The stampede occurred near Bairagi Patteda, close to MGM School, in the temple town of Tirupati, a site that witnessed an overwhelming crowd of devotees. The devotees had gathered in large numbers ahead of the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam, an important religious event that begins on January 10. Thousands of people from across the country had arrived for the 10-day occasion, eager to secure their place for the special darshan at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple, one of the most revered temples in India.
The tragedy unfolded as the crowd grew more and more chaotic in their attempt to obtain tickets for the darshan. The stampede broke out during a particularly intense moment of jostling, causing the situation to spiral out of control. Despite the best efforts of local authorities and temple staff to manage the crowd, the surge led to the fatal incident, with many devotees sustaining injuries as well. While some of the injured are in critical condition, others are receiving treatment for more minor injuries. Naidu, who expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, used social media platform ‘X’ to offer his condolences to the families of the deceased. He also vowed to take swift action to ensure the safety of devotees in future events and prevent similar incidents from occurring again.
తిరుమల శ్రీవారి వైకుంఠ ద్వార దర్శనం టోకెన్ల కోసం తిరుపతిలోని విష్ణు నివాసం దగ్గర జరిగిన తోపులాటలో పలువురు భక్తులు మృతి చెందడం దిగ్భ్రాంతిని కలిగించింది. టోకెన్ల కోసం భక్తులు పెద్ద ఎత్తున తరలివచ్చిన సందర్భంలో చోటుచేసుకున్న ఈ విషాదకర ఘటన నన్ను తీవ్రంగా కలిచివేసింది. మరి కొందరి…
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) January 8, 2025
In a show of solidarity, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also expressed his profound grief over the tragic loss of lives in the stampede. Reddy conveyed his condolences late Wednesday night and extended his sympathy to the bereaved families. His statement was one of deep shock, and he urged the Andhra Pradesh government to provide better medical treatment to the injured and ensure their swift recovery. Reddy further emphasized the importance of improving safety measures for future religious events, recognizing the need for better crowd control and preparedness during large gatherings of devotees.
Read More:Tragic Stampede at Tirupati Temple: What Led to the Loss of Six Lives
The loss of life and the injuries sustained in this stampede have left many across the region heartbroken. The tragedy highlights the challenges faced by temple authorities in managing large crowds, especially during significant religious occasions like the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam. Thousands of devotees flock to the temple every year for this special darshan, and with the heightened significance of the event, the number of attendees tends to be especially high. This year, with the 10-day event set to begin on January 10, the authorities will need to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of all attendees. Following the incident, there will likely be increased discussions about crowd management strategies, better infrastructure for the movement of devotees, and stronger security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
For the victims of this stampede, the road to recovery will be long, and the emotional toll on the families of the deceased is immeasurable. The Andhra Pradesh government, along with local authorities, will continue to provide the necessary assistance, including medical treatment and financial support to the families affected by this tragic incident. As the community comes to terms with the heartbreaking loss, leaders from across the region are pledging to work together to prevent future tragedies and ensure that the safety of devotees is always a top priority during religious events.