Bhubaneswar: A three-member committee has been formed to probe the mishap that took place during the Pahanadi procession of Lord Balabhadra at Saradhabali in Odisha’s Puri town yesterday.

This was revealed by Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee chief and Puri King Dibyasingha Deb today.

A three-member committee comprising Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) administrator (Development), Puri Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and Puri Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) has been formed to probe the incident, said the King.

The committee will examine the video and CCTV footage of the incident as part of the probe. The panel will submit its report within 10 days of Niladri Bije (homecoming) ritual of Lord Jagannath, he added.

The presence of excess number of servitors on chariots might have led to the mishap, stated the King.

The idol of Lord Balabhadra slipped on the makeshift staircase (Charamala) while being taken to the Adapa Mandap of Srigundicha temple from Taladhwaja chariot through Pahandi procession as part of annual Rath Jatra yesterday evening.

At least five servitors were injured in the mishap and rushed to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) immediately.