One Killed, Over 100 Injured In Stampede During Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra In Puri

Puri: A stampede-like situation arose on Thursday during the world-famous Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha. One devotee died in the incident, while approximately 100 people were injured. It has been reported that the deceased devotee was admitted to the hospital in critical condition after experiencing breathing difficulties and was subsequently declared dead by doctors.

How ​​did the stampede occur? 

According to reports, devotees were waiting on Bada Danda (Grand Road) to catch a glimpse of and pull the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. Amidst the massive crowd, a sudden scuffle broke out, creating a stampede-like situation. Many devotees fell, leading to chaos and panic.
Disturbing videos of the incident have emerged. One video shows the situation spiraling out of control due to the swelling crowd, with increasing pressure towards Bada Danda. Another video shows scattered footwear and other belongings.

How did the authorities respond? 

Immediately after the incident, teams from the police, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and the Health Department arrived at the scene. The injured were transported via ambulance to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital and other medical centers. The administration claims to have brought the situation under control quickly, and additional security forces have been deployed to manage the crowd. However, the administration has not yet issued a detailed statement regarding the official number of injured persons or the specific causes of the incident. The matter is currently under investigation.