Three people were killed and more than 50 injured in a stampede during the Rath Yatra religious festival in Puri, in India’s eastern Orissa state. The incident occurred near the Gundicha temple as thousands gathered for the early-morning procession.
Officials blamed the tragedy on a sudden crowd surge despite security measures. Two senior police officers were suspended, and several local officials were reassigned.
Orissa’s Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed condolences and announced compensation of 25 million rupees for victims’ families. Stampedes are frequent during crowded religious events in India.