Jun 29, Kathmandu - In India's coastal state of Odisha, at least three people were killed and several others injured when a stampede erupted after a sudden crowd surged during a Hindu festival on Sunday, local government officials said.

Thousands of devotees had gathered near the Gundicha temple in Puri city on the occasion of the Hindu chariot festival. District administration officer Siddharth Swain said, "The sudden increase in the crowd at the temple caused problems in movement and nine devotees were taken to the hospital after they had difficulty breathing after the stampede and stampede. Three people have died while the condition of the others is stable."

Local media reported that several other festival-goers were injured, but government officials could not immediately confirm this. Odisha Chief Minister Mohancharan Majhi has said that this is a tragic incident due to the excessive crowd of devotees.

Majhi wrote on social media, “I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.” “This negligence is inexcusable. I have directed an immediate investigation into the lapses in security and strict action against the guilty.” Fatal stampedes and crowds are considered a common occurrence during Indian religious festivals.

Six people were killed in a stampede in Goa state in May when thousands of people gathered for a popular fire-walking ritual. In January, at least 30 people were killed in clashes at the Kumbh Mela, a major Hindu festival, in the northern city of Prayagraj.