At least six people were killed and 35 injured in a stampede near one of India's busiest and richest temples, after thousands of devout Hindus assembled there to secure free visit passes, authorities said Thursday.

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,

Dozens of others injured after thousands of devotees queue outside one of the most visited Hindu temples in south India.

A screengrab shows victims of a deadly stampede that killed at least six people as thousands of devotees rushed to collect entry tokens for a planned gathering at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, a major Hindu pilgrimage site in India. (Photo: AFP)

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 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,