**Six Dead in Stampede as Thousands Rush for Free Tokens to Hindu Temple**

Six Dead as Stampede Erupts at Hindu Temple Token Distribution

At least six people lost their lives, and several others were injured late Wednesday during a stampede in southern India as thousands of devotees gathered to collect tokens for a free visit to one of the most revered Hindu temples, the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh.

Authorities had set up counters at a school to distribute tokens for visits to the nearly 2,000-year-old temple, which is considered especially auspicious from January 10 to January 19. Despite tokens being issued from Thursday, devotees began queuing as early as Wednesday, resulting in overcrowding and chaos that led to the tragedy, according to the state chief minister’s office.

"Pained by the stampede in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed on X.

A spokesperson for the Telugu Desam Party confirmed the fatalities, stating, "The unfortunate incident [...] has claimed the lives of six devotees. I pray to God to grant peace to the departed souls."

Deadly incidents like this are frequent at places of worship in India, particularly during religious festivals, due to inadequate crowd management. In July last year, 121 people died during a Hindu gathering in Uttar Pradesh, and 112 fatalities occurred in 2016 following a banned fireworks display at a Kerala temple.

This tragedy comes just days before the start of the Kumbh Mela, a six-week Hindu festival expected to draw up to 400 million pilgrims, potentially becoming the largest religious gathering in history.