The tragic stampede in Tirupati unfolded when a Jana Sena leader, accompanied by 50 supporters, entered the main gate at the Ramanaidu High School counter in Bairagipatteda. The counter, located near the national highway, attracted thousands of devotees from nearby regions.
At around 8:40 PM, amidst heavy crowds, a 50-year-old woman complained of chest pain and difficulty breathing. Following Crime DSP Ramanakumar’s orders, the gate was briefly opened to help the woman out.
During this time, the Jana Sena leader requested the DSP to allow his group of 50 into the counter. This special privilege angered devotees waiting for hours, who feared missing their tokens. The situation escalated into a stampede as the crowd surged towards the gates, pushing past each other in panic.
Casualties and Aftermath
The stampede resulted in the deaths of five individuals:
- Lavanya Swathi (37) from Visakhapatnam
- Shanti (35) from Kancharapalem
- Rajani (47) from Maddelapalem
- Babunaidu (51) from Narasaraopet
- Nirmala (45) from Pollachi, Tamil Nadu
In addition, 35 others sustained injuries and were evacuated with difficulty. Ambulances were delayed for 45 minutes, adding to the distress. Eventually, victims were transported to nearby hospitals, but the damage was already done.
Mismanagement Raises Questions
This incident highlights serious lapses in crowd management and the risks of granting unauthorized entry during peak crowd conditions. The tragedy has sparked public outrage, with demands for accountability from both authorities and those involved.
