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A day of sacred devotion and celebration turned into a scene of heartbreak in Puri, Odisha, after a stampede broke out amidst the massive crowds of the world-famous Rath Yatra festival. The tragic incident, which occurred near the Gundicha Temple, has claimed the lives of at least three women and left several other devotees injured.

The chaos erupted on Sunday afternoon at a location known as Marichikot Chhak, as lakhs of pilgrims and devotees were fervently pulling ‘Nandighosh,’ the chariot of Lord Jagannath. According to initial reports, a section of the immense crowd suddenly lost its balance, causing people to fall over one another in a devastating domino effect that quickly led to a stampede.

Emergency services and police personnel on duty immediately rushed to the scene to manage the situation and provide aid. The injured were quickly transported to the District Headquarters Hospital in Puri for urgent medical attention. Officials confirmed that some of the devotees with critical injuries have been shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for more advanced treatment.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his profound grief over the tragedy. In a statement, he conveyed his deep condolences to the families of the deceased and announced financial assistance (ex-gratia) of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of each victim.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the stampede during the chariot pulling in Puri,” the Chief Minister stated. “My condolences are with the families of the deceased.” He has also directed officials to ensure that all injured individuals receive the best possible medical care free of cost and wished them a speedy recovery.

A police investigation is now underway to determine the precise circumstances that led to the fatal incident, which has cast a somber shadow over one of India’s most significant religious festivals.

Read More: Devotion Turns to Tragedy: Stampede During Puri’s Rath Yatra Kills Three, Injures Several