Puri (Odisha) [India], June 29 (ANI): Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Sunday described the stampede during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri that left at least three people dead as an 'unfortunate incident.'

He said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered an inquiry and assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible.

'It is an unfortunate incident. Three people have died. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has already ordered an inquiry. He has already spoken about the incident on social media and has personally apologised. He has asked Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania to visit the spot. Action will be taken against those responsible for this,' said Harichandan.

Meanwhile, Congress leader and party in-charge for Odisha, Ajay Kumar Lallu said, 'The incident is very unfortunate. Millions of people took part in the Rath Yatra. The state government should have made proper arrangements to prevent a stampede.'

'There has been a lapse in security and arrangements. May the departed souls rest in peace and the injured recover soon,' he added.

Speaking on the circumstances that led to the tragedy, Puri District Magistrate Siddharth Swain said, '... Today, there was an incident in which due to a sudden surge in crowd at our high density points, people complained of suffocation, so from around 4:20 am to 5:40 am, around 15 devotees were transferred to the hospital, out of which 12 devotees were discharged after general treatment, but 3 of them died.'

'The cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem...' he said.

Earlier in the day, Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania reached the Gudicha Temple to assess the situation after the stampede during the Rath Yatra.

Following the incident, Odisha Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Vishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi were suspended for negligence of duty.

According to a press note by the Odisha Chief Minister's Office, a tragic incident occurred during the world-famous Rath Yatra in Puri, as overcrowding led to the unfortunate demise of three devotees.

Expressing deep sorrow, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased devotee.

The Chief Minister ordered a detailed administrative inquiry under the supervision of the Development Commissioner and instructed the transfer of the District Collector.

SP Chanchal Rana has been appointed as the new District Collector, while Pinak Mishra has taken charge as the new Superintendent of Police.

The Chief Minister reaffirmed that Rath Yatra is a source of pride for Odisha and assured strict action against those responsible for the mishap. He emphasised that such incidents must not recur, ensuring the safety and sanctity of the festival in the future.

CM Mohan Charan Majhi apologised and sought forgiveness from the devotees, directing the authorities to initiate action against those responsible.

Posting on social media platform X, Chief Minister Majhi said, 'Due to the intense eagerness among devotees to have a glimpse of Mahaprabhu at Sharadhabali, an unfortunate incident occurred because of the resulting jostling and chaos. Personally, my government and I seek forgiveness from all devotees of Jagannath. We express our condolences to the families of those devotees whose lives were lost at Sharadhabali and pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannath to grant them the strength to bear this profound sorrow.'

He added that an investigation will be conducted into the security lapse, and action will be taken against those responsible.

'This negligence is unforgivable. An immediate investigation into the security lapse will be conducted, and I have directed that necessary steps be taken to initiate exemplary action against those responsible,' Majhi's X post read.

The stampede, in which at least three people died and several were injured, occurred early this morning near the Gundicha Temple in Puri.

During the annual Rath Yatra, a massive crowd of devotees pull the holy chariots of the three deities - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Shubhadra, which are taken to the Gundicha Temple, a short distance from the Jagannath Temple.

The three deities spend a week at the Gundicha Temple before returning to Jagannath Temple. This year, the Rath Yatra commenced on Friday. (ANI)