At least six people lost their lives in a stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh, India, with several others injured, officials confirmed on Thursday. The tragedy occurred on Wednesday as a massive crowd gathered to collect entrance tokens to the temple,

Authorities of one of India’s richest temples have apologised after at least six pilgrims were killed in a stampede in the southern temple town of Tirupati. The devotees were waiting in queues to collect tokens from over 90 counters to offer prayers to Lord Venkateshwara Swamy on Wednesday when the incident took place, local police said.

At least six people were crushed to death at a Hindu religious gathering in India, with several more injured, officials said on Thursday. A huge crowd had gathered to collect entrance tokens to visit the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh when the stampede broke out on Wednesday.

The stampede took place on Wednesday night after thousands gathered at the Tirupati temple in the southern Andhra Pradesh state for tickets to a special festival. Visuals showed a swell of people jostling while the tickets were being distributed at counters set up by temple authorities.