Puri Stampede: 3 Devotees Killed, Several Injured After Chaos During Jagannath Rath Yatra In Odisha

As many as three persons were killed, over 50 sustained injuries in a stampede that took place during Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri, PTI reported citing an official. The incident took place on Sunday morning near the Gundicha temple. 

The injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital and the condition of six persons is critical, Puri District Collector Siddharth S Swain said.

ALSO READ: ‘Let Bibi Go, He's Got A Big Job To Do’: Donald Trump Seeks Cessation Of Trial Against Israeli PM Netanyahu 

A massive crowd of devotees gathered to catch a glimpse of the three chariots as they reached their destination. This triggered chaos and the crowd control barriers collapsed, causing several devotees to fall. 

Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan expressed anguish over the incident, adding that the reasons behind the incident were being probed. He said additional police teams were deployed in Puri for the effective management of the crowd.

"It is an unfortunate incident. We are taking note of that. I spoke with the CM this morning. We are taking stringent action. DGP has been sent to the spot. Three people have passed away because of suffocation in the huge gathering. Six to seven people are injured. I am moving to Puri. I am monitoring the situation over the phone. We are trying our best to manage the crowd. Additional police have been deployed. The reasons for the incident are being investigated. The situation is now under control and the people are having darshan," he said to ANI.