At least six people were killed and several others injured late on Wednesday in a stampede in southern India after thousands of devotees queued outside one of the most visited Hindu temples to collect tokens for a free visit to the deity.
Authorities had set up counters at a school to issue tokens from Thursday for devotees to visit The Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, popularly known as the Tirupati, in Andhra Pradesh state during January 10-19, a period considered auspicious by the locals, the Indian Express reported.
People started queuing from as early as Wednesday for the tokens to visit the almost 2,000-year-old temple and pushed and jostled leading to the stampede, according to the office of the chief minister of the state.
"Pained by the stampede in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones," India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X.
Israel to allow international force into Gaza, Israeli official says
Firefighters battle blazes near France's Bordeaux, Macron in crisis talks
India suspends policeman for firing weapon at student protesters
Kuwait strongly condemns repeated Houthi attacks on ships in Red Sea
Trump gives Iran talks 'room', US ambassador to UN says
