THE NEWS DOSE DESK

Puri( Odisha), June 29,UPDATED:2.40PM

At least three people, including two women, were killed and around 50 others injured in a stampede near the Shree Gundicha Temple early Sunday morning during the annual Rath Yatra festivities, officials said.

The incident occurred around 4 am when hundreds of devotees had gathered to witness the ceremonial procession of Lord Jagannath and his siblings. According to Puri District Collector Siddharth S Swain, the stampede broke out after two trucks carrying ritual materials entered the densely crowded area near the chariots.

“Six of the injured are in a critical condition and remain unconscious,” a hospital official said. All injured persons have been admitted to nearby medical facilities.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the chaos and have assured enhanced crowd management for the remainder of the festival.