Stampede in Venkateswara temple, 20 hurt

TIRUPATI: Twenty pilgrims were injured in a stampede during the Garuda Seva procession on the fifth day of the annual Brahmotsavam festival at around mid-night on Wednesday night in the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala near here, police said.
The injured were administered first aid at the Tirumala Tirupati Dewasthanam Hospital and later shifted to a government hospital at Tirupati, police said.
The nature of injury of pilgrims was not serious, hospital sources said.
Twenty two pilgrims had sustained injuries during the Brahmotsavam festival last year.