Tragic Stampede at Tirumala: Six Dead, Over 40 Injured; CM Naidu to Visit Victims’ Families
A devastating stampede occurred at the Vaikuntha Dwara token counters in Tirumala late last night, claiming the lives of six devotees and leaving more than 40 others injured. The tragic incident has raised serious concerns, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed his deepest sympathy. He is expected to arrive in Tirupati shortly, where he will meet the victims and their families, and announce compensation for those affected by the incident.
In connection with the stampede, the district collector has submitted a detailed report to CM Naidu, shedding light on the circumstances that led to the tragedy. According to the report, the stampede was triggered by the over-enthusiasm of the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), whose actions led to an unexpected surge of devotees at the ticket counters. The report further pointed out that the DSP’s failure to manage the situation adequately contributed to the chaos, while the Superintendent of Police (SP) responded promptly by arriving with a team of personnel to assist the crowd.
The report also highlighted a critical lapse in medical response. An ambulance that was stationed outside the ticket counter was left unmanned for a period of 20 minutes due to the absence of the driver, significantly delaying immediate medical assistance for the injured. The collector’s report, compiled after gathering inputs from SP Subbarayudu and other officials, has identified the negligence of both the DSP and the ambulance driver as factors that contributed to the severity of the incident, leading to both the deaths and injuries.
As the authorities work to investigate the cause of the stampede, CM Naidu has promised swift action and expressed his commitment to ensuring that justice is served for the victims and their families. The incident has cast a shadow over the pilgrimage season, and steps will likely be taken to improve crowd management at the temple in the future.
