Three Fatalities and Six Injuries in Indian Chariot Festival Stampede
Authorities have confirmed that three people died and six others were injured during a stampede at a festival in eastern India on Sunday.
Y.B. Khurania, the police director general of Odisha, informed Reuters that “three individuals have lost their lives, and six have been injured; fortunately, none of the injuries are serious, and all victims are currently stable.”
The incident occurred at dawn as thousands of Hindu devotees gathered for the annual chariot festival near the Gundicha temple in Puri.
A senior administrative official, who requested anonymity due to media restrictions, provided this information to Reuters.
Siddharth Swain, a district administrative officer, told reporters that “the crowd unexpectedly surged.” He mentioned that nine devotees experienced breathlessness and needed hospitalization. While three tragically died from their injuries, the remaining individuals are reportedly stable.
Local news sources indicated there may be additional injuries among festival-goers; however, officials have not yet confirmed these claims.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi referred to the event as a “tragic incident,” citing the overwhelming number of attendees as a contributing factor. He expressed his sympathies on social media platform X for the families impacted by this tragedy and announced that an investigation is underway.
“This negligence cannot be tolerated. I have ordered an immediate inquiry into safety lapses and will ensure appropriate actions are taken against those responsible.”
Stampedes often occur during major Hindu events in India where large crowds gather in limited spaces, frequently overlooking safety protocols.
Earlier this year, a pre-dawn stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj resulted in at least 39 fatalities.
