Indian Temple Stampede: Six Dead as Thousands Jostle for Free Passes

9/1/2025 16:49

At least six people were killed and 35 injured in a stampede near one of India's busiest, and richest, temples, after thousands of devout Hindus flocked to secure free visit passes, authorities said on Thursday.



The period from Friday to Jan. 19 is considered auspicious for visits to the deity at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, popularly known as Tirupati, in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, the site of Wednesday's incident.



Authorities were still trying to determine the reasons behind the stampede, he added. Tickets for visits to the nearly 2,00-year-old temple usually cost 300 rupees each and are sold online.



A police complaint showed the incident occurred between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 pm outside a school a few kilometres from the temple, where state authorities had set up counters in readiness to issue tickets from Thursday.