Fatal Stampede at Puri Rath Yatra: Three Killed, More Injuries Feared

The incident occurred near the Gundicha Temple as thousands gathered to pull the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. Authorities fear the injury toll may rise, and an atmosphere of mourning now grips the coastal pilgrim town as investigations begin to uncover the cause of the chaos.

A Festival Marred by Tragedy

The Rath Yatra, one of India’s most significant religious events, attracts lakhs of devotees annually to Puri. Eyewitnesses reported chaos near the temple’s entrance, where devotees, eager to participate, overwhelmed barricades. The three victims, yet to be identified, succumbed to suffocation and injuries, while the injured were rushed to Puri District Hospital. Medical teams are bracing for more casualties as the situation unfolds.

Response and Rescue Efforts

Local police, fire services, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) acted swiftly, launching rescue operations to assist trapped and injured devotees. The Odisha government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has ordered a high-level probe to investigate lapses in crowd management. Hospitals in Puri and Bhubaneswar are on high alert, with additional staff deployed to treat victims. Helplines have been established to help families locate loved ones, and volunteers are aiding in crowd control to prevent further incidents.

Questions on Crowd Management

Critics point to inadequate barricading and insufficient security personnel as contributing factors. Past incidents, like a similar scare in 2014, underscore the need for better planning. Organizers are now under scrutiny to implement stricter measures for future events.

Puri Rath Yatra

Puri’s vibrant festival spirit has been replaced by sorrow as devotees mourn the loss. The government has promised compensation for victims’ families and vowed to ensure such tragedies are not repeated, but the incident leaves a lasting scar on the sacred Rath Yatra.