55-year-old woman from Salem among 6 killed in Tirupati stampede; CM Stalin announces Rs 2 lakh solatium

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced financial aid of Rs 2 lakh to the family of Mallika, a resident of Salem district, who was one of the six devotees who died in the Tirupati stampede on Wednesday night. Hundreds of them had jostled for tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills, leading to a stampede situation, leaving over 40 injured.

In his statement, the Chief Minister expressed his deep sorrow over the incident and assured that the Tamil Nadu government would take all necessary steps to bring Mallika's body back to her hometown. He has directed the state authorities to make arrangements for the transportation of the deceased's body to Salem.

Earlier, Stalin expressed condolence over the stampede deaths in a post shared on social media, the Chief Minister said, "The heartbreaking news of six people, including from Tamil Nadu, losing their lives in a stampede in Tirupati is deeply saddening. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident. I sincerely hope that those injured in the stampede recover quickly and completely."

As many as six people lost their lives and several others were injured after a stampede broke out near Vishnu Nivasam in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati on Wednesday evening, according to officials from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

The incident occurred near Vishnu Niwasam close to the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter, during the distribution of 'darshan' tokens.