Odishatv Bureau

Puri: In a tragic incident, two women were killed and six persons injured in stampede during the pulling of chariots of the deities here this evening.

According to reports, the mishap happened near Balagandi Chaak and Hindi School Chaak during the pulling of chariots.

Meanwhile, DGP Sanjiv Marik told media, “We came to know from hospital sources that one woman, about 65 years old, was killed while some have sustained serious injuries.”

Further, Marik stated the hospital sources have said the woman died due to exhaustion, not because of any stampede.

The police chief said, in another mishap, five persons watching the festival on top of the roof of a house fell on ground and sustained injuries.

Two critically injured were taken to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, while the others were taken to a hospital in Puri, he added.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the mishap and declared that medical expenses of the injured will be borne by the State government.

Union Tourism minister Mahesh Sharma, BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra and State Congress president Prasad Harichandan also expressed grief over the accident.

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