Tirupati Stampede Highlights: Andhra Pradesh announces 25 lakh ex-gratia for victims, TN CM assures ₹2 lakh assistance

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: Updates to this blog have ended

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: Andhra Pradesh government ordered judicial inquiry into the incident on Thursday, PTI report.

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM said, “We are taking the responsibility. We are not running away. We are not escaping. We will make sure whoever is responsible, stern action will be taken against them,” PTI reported.

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Thursday issued apology to the nation and Hindu community and said, "It is the responsibility of the TTD EO (executive officer) and JEO,” PTI reported.

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: Tirupati Collector S Venkateswar informed that police personnel have been deployed outside the ticket counters, reported ANI.

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: An eyewitness said, "One person told devotees not to rush and go in a line, but who will listen. Police were outside, not inside," PTI reported.

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday visited the hospital where injured individuals in the stampede are undergoing treatment.

An official statement reads, “Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu comforted devotees who were injured in yesterday’s (Wednesday) stampede at SVIMS (Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS).”

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: An eyewitness asserted that if the police allowed devotees to proceed in an orderly way, this disaster could have been averted, reported PTI.

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: Narrating the ordeal of Tirupati stampede incident, an eyewitness named D Venkata Lakshmi, who suffered injuries said, “For five minutes we thought all of us were dead. I have been coming to the temple for the past 25 years and it has never happened like this,” reported PTI.

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: Referring to Tirupati stampede incident, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Thursday urged the government to ensure that incidents causing loss of life are prevented, particularly at religious sites and during festivals, PTI reported.

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: Andhra Pradesh Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad said that the state government will ensure support to the families of the victims who have died in the stampede incident. He also announced financial aid worth ₹25 lakh (ex-gratia) to the families of the deceased persons, reported ANI.

"We cannot replace life with anything else but we will support the families. We have announced ₹25 lakh (ex-gratia) to the families of the deceased persons," ANI quoted Anagani Satya Prasad as saying.

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu visited Tirupati Stampede site on Thursday to take a stock of the situation.

In a post on X on Friday, he stated, “The death of several devotees in a stampede near Vishnu Niwasam in Tirupati for tokens to visit Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara has shocked me…. I am talking to the district and TTD officials from time to time and am taking stock of the situation.”

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday announced ₹25 lakh ex-gratia amount to the family members of the deceased devotees. Meanwhile, in another announcement Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has announced ₹2 lakh assistance to a stampede victim

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: Senior YSCRP leader and former TTD Chairman B Karunakar Reddy on Thursday urged Andhra Pradesh CM to take responsibility for the accident. He also said that the government should take strict action against the officials reponsible.

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: The first case in Tirupati Stampede case is linked to  Mettur Salem district resident R Malliga. 

The first complaint was filed by P Srinivasulu, a Tahsildar from Balaiahpalli Mandal. According to him, R Malliga fainted amidst a rush of devotees. He was declared dead when he was rushed to the hospital.

The second FIR, lodged by M. Jayaramulu, 61, a Tahsildar from Narayanavanam Mandal, reported the deaths of five more devotees. The victims included Smt. Kandipilli Santhi (35) from Visakhapatnam, Guddla Rajini (45), Boddeti Naidu Babu (55), Suri Setty Lavanya Swathi (37), and Nirmala from Tamil Nadu.

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday expressed grief over the death of six people who were killed in the tragic incident. 

“The tragic incident at the sacred temple of Tirupati is truly heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured and hoping all possible support reaches those affected during this difficult time,” read a post by Priyanka Gandhi.

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Thursday expressed concern over the safety of devotees at religious places. 

"People go (to religious places) not to die but to pray for their safety, nation and family. The government should look into the way people were killed in the stampede. And take steps to oversee arrangements at such places thronged by a large number of people and to ensure such incidents do not happen again," he told reporters in Jammu.

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: Police have registered two separate FIRs following the deaths of multiple devotees during the Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrations in the temple town. 

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: A witness has recounted a harrowing experience of Tirupati stampede case. 

"For five minutes we thought all of us were dead. I have been coming to the temple for the past 25 years and it has never happened like this," D Venkata Lakshmi told a vernacular news channel on Wednesday night.

Tirupati Stampede LIVE: A victim of the accident recalled her harrowing experience and said that there was a massive crowd rush as soon as gates were opened by the police.

 "A stampede occurred due to the heavy rush. As soon as the Police officials opened the gate, the pilgrims rushed to purchase tokens. There was no such system for obtaining tokens earlier. Out of twenty members of my family, six have been injured. We joined the queue at 11 o'clock. While waiting in the queue, we were provided with milk and biscuits. However, a large number of male pilgrims rushed for tokens, causing injuries to several women, who were then shifted to the hospital."

Tirupati temple stampede news live: Former TTD Chairman criticises Andhra government for lapses in crowd management and ensuring safety of devotees in Tirupati.

Former TTD Chairman Bhuma Karunakar Reddy slammed the coalition government and said that the arrangements should have been made in advance amid the rising influx of devotees due to festive season.

Tirupati temple stampede news live: Collector S Venkateswar on Thursday said that the situation at Tirupati temple was brought under control at 9:30 pm last night.

"The situation was brought under control at 9.30 pm last night. At all queue counters, ticket distribution was completed last night around 1 am...This year additional forces have been deployed in Tirumala...," the official said.

Tirupati temple stampede news live: Tirupati COllector S Venkateswar on Thursday said that adequate arrangements are made ahead of Vaikunth Ekadasi.

The collector said that large number of police personnel have been deployed to ensure law and order in the city.

Tirupati temple stampede news live: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Additional Executive Officer Venkayya Chowdary on Thursday met the victims of the Tirupati incident. As many as six people were also killed. 

Tirupati temple stampede news live: The tragic stamped which claimed six lives was the result of overcrowding, said Chairman of the TTD BR Naidu. Speaking to the reporters, he said, “The reason (for the stampede) is overcrowding...it is an unfortunate incident...tomorrow CM will tell everything, today the complete report will come. A total of 6 people have died. some are from Tamil Nadu and some are from Andhra Pradesh. As of now, one body has been identified…”

Tirupati temple stampede news live: Andhra CM Naidu calls for a review meeting on Thursday. He is set to meet with officials to review the situation after six people lost their live in the Tirupati stampede incident.

Tirupati temple stampede news live: Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin on Thurday expressed grief over the demise of six people in Tirupati temple stampede case.

According to Tirupati district collector S Venkateswar, one of the victims hailed from Tamil Nadu's Salem.

"Deeply saddened by the tragic #stampede at #Tirupati, which has claimed innocent lives, including those from Tamil Nadu. My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident. Wishing the injured a swift recovery. #TirupatiStampede," Stalin said on a post on 'X.'

Tirupati temple stampede news live: BRS working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) expressed a deep grief over the tragic stampede at Tirupati, Andhra PRadesh. The tragic accident claimed six lives on Wednesday.

"Saddened by the loss of lives in the stampede at Tirupati. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. My thoughts and prayers are with those families who have lost their loved ones in this tragic mishap," KTR posted on X (formerly Twitter).

BRC MLC K Kavitha also expressed concern over the demise of six devotees during Tirupati stampede accident.

Tirupati temple stampede news live: EAM S Jaishankar on Wednesday expressed condolences and prayers for the affected families and the injured during Tirupati Temple.

Sharing a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Saddened by the unfortunate stampede at Tirupati Temple. Heartfelt condolences to the families who lost dear ones. Pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

Tirupati temple stampede news live: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed grief over the demise of the individuals who lost their lives in tragic stampede which occurred on Wednesday evening

In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister's Office wrote, “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: PM @narendramodi.”

Tirupati temple stampede news live: President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday expressed concern over the death of victims in the accident.

"Distressed to know that a stampede in Tirupati led to loss of life of many devotees. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for speedy recovery of the injured," Murmu said in a post on X.

Tirumala stampede LIVE Updates: Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu to meet victims on Thursday. At least six people lost their lives in a stampede on Wednesday.