At least six pilgrims, including five women, have been killed in a stampede in the southern Indian 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.

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.

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.

At least six people, including four women, were killed, more than 25 seriously injured and nearly 70 others suffered minor injuries when a stampede broke out in the religious city of Tirupati in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh late on Wednesday night,

A stampede at Tirupati temple caused by overcrowding and administrative "lapses" claimed the lives of at least six people.