Three people were killed and six others injured in a stampede during a major religious festival in Odisha, eastern India, early Sunday morning, according to local officials.

The tragedy unfolded in the city of Puri during the annual Rath Yatra, or chariot festival, a major Hindu event that draws massive crowds of devotees. The victims were caught in a sudden crowd surge as thousands gathered around the ceremonial chariots at dawn.

“Three people have died and six others were injured. Thankfully, none of the injuries are life-threatening,” Odisha Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania told Reuters.

A senior government official, speaking anonymously due to media restrictions, said safety measures were overwhelmed by the unexpectedly rapid swell in attendees during the early hours of the festival.

Stampedes are a frequent risk during large-scale religious gatherings in India, where massive crowds often congregate in limited spaces. In a similar incident earlier this year, 39 people were killed during a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.

Authorities in Odisha have launched an investigation into the latest tragedy and have pledged to reassess crowd control protocols to prevent future incidents.