Bhubaneswar, June 29 -- Biju Janata Dal chief and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday extended his condolences to the victims of the "devastating incident" that took place early this morning during the Jagannath Rath Yatra near the Gundicha Temple in Puri.

Talking to 'X', Patnaik prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the stampede.

"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the three devotees who have lost their lives in the tragic stampede at Saradhabali, Puri and I pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannatha for the swift recovery of the devotees injured in this devastating incident", Patnaik said.

Hitting out at the Odisha Government, the former Odisha Chief Minister termed it as a "abysmal failure" of the...