Stampede

Both India and Belgium have already qualified for the quarterfinals from Pool B.bonus365

Belgium sit atop the Pool B table with three wins from three games whereas India are in second place with two wins and a draw. The Indians so far have beaten New Zealand, secured a draw against Argentina and defeated Ireland in their last game.

breaks out outside Tirupati Temple Photo: X/ANI Screengrab Stampede breaks out outside Tirupati Temple Photo: X/ANI Screengrab

In a tragic incident, at least four devotees, including three women, died while several others sustained injuries in a stampede at Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati Temple on Wednesday night.

Since Wednesday morning, hundreds of devotees across the country jostled for tickets for 10-day-long Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple.

VIDEO | Andhra Pradesh: Three people died following a stampede in Tirupati during the distribution of tokens for Vaikunta Dwara Darshan. More details awaited.(Source: Third Party)#Tirupati pic.twitter.com/mjYgVfFf3X

rmk slot— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 8, 2025

Citing Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office (CMO), ANI reported that CM Chandrababu Naidu expressed his deep shock over the death of devotees in the stampede that took place near Vishnu Niwasam in Tirupati for darshan tokens at Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara.

ALSO READ | Pushpa 2 Stampede: 1 Killed In Crowdrush; Case Filed Against Allu Arjun's Team And Theatre

"The chief minister is keeping abreast of the current situation by speaking to district and TTD officials from time to time. He has ordered higher officials to go to the scene of the incident and take relief measures to ensure that the injured get better treatment",India Today reported citing a government official

It has been reported that an emergency meeting is being held by the Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams board, BR Naidu in light of the present situation.

ALSO READ | Nigeria Stampedes: 67 Killed This Week In Rush For Free Food At Christmas Events

The incident took place a day after Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer (EO) J Syamala Rao mentioned that extensive measures have been taken for the lakhs of devotees ahead of the Vaikuntha Ekadasi and Vaikuntha Dwara Darshanam scheduled from January 10 to 19bonus365, 2025.