Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday apologized to the devotees of Lord Jagannath for a stampede near a temple in Puri. At least three people have died in this incident.
Officials said that about 50 other people were also injured in a stampede near Shri Gundicha temple in the early hours of Sunday. Majhi posted on ‘X’ and said, “Me and my government apologize to all Jagannath devotees. We express our condolences to the families of the devotees who lost our lives in the stampede … Mahaprabhu prays to Jagannath to give them the power to bear this sorrow.
He also said that the security lapse would be investigated and strict action will be taken against those found guilty. Majhi said, “This negligence is unforgivable. The security lapse will be investigated immediately and I have directed that necessary steps should be taken to initiate strict action against those responsible for the incident.
Officials said that the incident took place around four o’clock in the morning when hundreds of devotees gathered near the temple to watch the Rath Yatra festival. He said that the injured have been admitted to the nearest hospital and the condition of six people is critical.
