The incident occurred as thousands of Hindu devotees gathered to secure free visit passes to the temple, one of India’s busiest and wealthiest religious sites.

The stampede took place outside a school a few kilometers from the temple, where state authorities had set up counters to distribute passes for the auspicious period from Friday to January 19. According to S. Venkateswar, the district collector, approximately 2,500 people surged through a gate when it was opened, leading to chaos. “A few fell, and the stampede ensued,” Venkateswar told reporters on Thursday.

Of the 35 injured, about a dozen remain hospitalized. Authorities are investigating the cause of the stampede, with initial reports suggesting overcrowding and mismanagement. Video footage captured by ANI showed police struggling to control the massive crowd.

The temple’s operator, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), apologized for the incident and promised action against those responsible.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu visited the stampede site and met with some of the injured at a local hospital. In a statement, he called for immediate measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Meanwhile, the opposition YSR Congress Party criticized the state government, labeling the stampede an “administrative failure.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones.”

The Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, a nearly 2,000-year-old pilgrimage site, attracts millions of devotees annually. Tickets for visits, typically priced at 300 rupees ($3.50), are often sold online, but the high demand for free passes during auspicious periods has led to overcrowding in the past.

Authorities have vowed to implement stricter measures to manage crowds and ensure the safety of visitors in the future. (ILKHA)