Puri (Orissa), July 4 (IANS) At least six people were killed and 20 injured in a stampede during the annual Rath Yatra (chariot festival) here Friday, police said. Director General of Police Gopal Chandra Nanda said: “Six people died in the stampede. Policemen have been rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. The 20 injured have been taken to the government hospital.”

A million devotees had gathered here to see the idols of god Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra being carried in chariots from the 12th century Jagannath temple in Puri, about 56 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, to another shrine called Gundicha in the same town.