At least three people were killed and several others injured during a tragic stampede at a major religious festival in the eastern Indian state of Odisha on Sunday. Local officials confirmed the incident occurred at dawn in the coastal city of Puri, where thousands of Hindu devotees had gathered for the annual Rath Yatra, or chariot festival. The victims were caught in a sudden and overwhelming surge of people as crowds swelled around the ceremonial chariots near the Gundicha Temple.

Odisha’s Director General of Police, Y.B. Khurania, stated to Reuters that "Three people have died and six sustained injuries; none of them are serious and all are out of danger." A senior administrative official further clarified that nine devotees experienced breathlessness due to the crowd surge, with three fatalities, and the remaining individuals in stable condition. Odisha State Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, described the event as a “tragic incident” caused by the “overwhelming rush of devotees.” He extended his condolences to the affected families and announced an immediate investigation into the safety lapses, pledging “exemplary actions” against those responsible.

This incident underscores the recurring danger of stampedes during large religious events across India, where millions of worshippers frequently gather in confined spaces. Authorities acknowledged that safety protocols were overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the gathering in the early hours. This latest tragedy follows similar, fatal incidents in recent months, including a pre-dawn crush at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, northern India, which claimed at least 30 to 39 lives earlier this year. Additionally, six people were killed in the state of Goa during a fire-walking ritual in May. Authorities in Odisha have launched a formal investigation and confirmed that crowd control measures will be thoroughly reviewed to prevent future tragedies.