3 Killed, Over 50 Injured in Puri Stampede

THREE PEOPLE WERE killed and more than 50 were injured in a stampede early Sunday morning outside the Gundicha Temple in Puri, where thousands of devotees have gathered for the annual Rath Yatra festival.

- SUJIT BISOYI

The incident occurred between 4 and 4.20 a.m. at Saradhabali, just outside Gundicha Temple, when some vehicles passed through a crowded area. Eyewitnesses and families of the victims alleged that there were no adequate police arrangements nor officials to manage the swelling number of pilgrims.

The dead were identified as Basanti Sahoo (42) from Puri, Pravati Das (52) from Balipatna in Khurda, and Bhubaneswar native Premakanta Mohanty (78).

Hospital officials said that among the injured, some were admitted with serious wounds while others were discharged after receiving primary treatment.

Expressing his condolences, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi suggested "negligence" and "security lapses".