At least three people were killed and several others injured in a stampede during a Hindu festival on Sunday in the coastal state of Odisha, India, local government officials have confirmed.
The tragic incident occurred in the city of Puri, where thousands of devotees had gathered near the Gundicha Temple for the annual Rath Yatra, a Hindu chariot festival that attracts massive crowds each year.
According to Siddharth Swain, a district administrative official, the chaos began following a sudden surge in the crowd.
“There was a sudden surge in the crowd. Nine devotees experienced breathlessness and were taken to the hospital. While three died, the others are in stable condition,” Swain told reporters.
Local media reported that several other individuals sustained injuries during the stampede, although authorities have yet to confirm the exact number.
Odisha State Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, described the event as a “tragic incident” resulting from the “overwhelming rush of devotees.”
In a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Majhi extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and announced that a formal investigation had been launched.
“This negligence is unforgivable. I have directed an immediate investigation into the safety lapses, and exemplary actions will be taken against those responsible,” he stated.
This latest tragedy follows similar incidents in recent months. In May, six people were killed in the state of Goa during a fire-walking ritual, while in January, a pre-dawn crush at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj claimed the lives of at least 30 pilgrims.
