Mothers who waited hours for darshan coupons — who are the victims of the Tirupati stampede?

They waited patiently for over 12 hours in the long queues while their husbands and children stood in other queues. The husband of Santhi, the youngest victim, is an autorickshaw driver while their son is pursuing secondary education. After collecting the coupons, the three women along with their families were planning to climb the steps the following day to reach the temple at Tirumala.

Two other women — Malliga (50) of Salem, Tamil Nadu, and Nirmala from Karnataka — succumbed to injuries while being taken to the hospital at night.

The sixth victim, Babu Naidu (51) of Narasipatnam, who was injured in the stampede at a ticket counter at Bairagipatteda, also died an hour later at SVR Ruia Government Hospital. The counter was one of many set up to distribute coupons for the darshan.

On Thursday, rescue teams and volunteers were busy collecting mobile phones, purses, and bags that had been scattered in the stampede and trying to return them to their owners.

At least 25 persons who were injured in the stampede were released from Ruia Hospital and Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Science after receiving treatment. An official said that 12 persons with broken ribs or bones are under treatment, but all of them are out of danger.

While police took measures to control the crowds at the ticket counters, the rush continued despite the stampede. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has issued 1.2 lakh tickets so far, and more coupons will be issued in the next two days.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will visit the temple later today and meet the injured at the two hospitals. He will also hold a review meeting with the Superintendent of Police and District Collector and discuss safety arrangements as a massive influx of pilgrims is expected over the next few days.