Kin blame admin apathy, poor crowd control

Two of the victims died on the spot, while the third succumbed in the hospital; six injured undergoing treatment

- SUDARSAN MAHARANA @Bhubaneswar

THE grief-stricken family members of the deceased and other devotees attributed the Saradhabali stampede to administrative negligence, inadequate crowd control measures and lack of police presence.

The incident took place at around 4 am on Sunday when thousands of devotees had gathered near the Gundicha Temple to catch a glimpse of the Trinity on their chariots, prior to their 'Adapa Mandap Bije'. However, chaos reportedly ensued when two trucks carrying the 'charamala' for the 'Adapa Mandap Pahandi' entered the crowded area.