Puri Rath Yatra: One Devotee Reportedly Dies, Several Injured in Stampede-Like Situation

A devotee reportedly died and several others were injured during a stampede-like situation amid the annual Rath Yatra in Odisha's Puri on Thursday. However, authorities have not yet officially confirmed either the death or the occurrence of a stampede.

The incident was reported near Marichikund Square, where a large crowd had gathered to witness the procession.

What Happened?

According to eyewitnesses, either a rope barricade marking the outer security cordon collapsed or some devotees lost their balance, triggering panic in the densely packed crowd.

A devotee present at the scene claimed that around 40 to 50 people fell on top of one another, leaving several injured. He said volunteers rescued nearly 20 devotees and shifted them to hospitals in ambulances.

The eyewitness also claimed that an elderly devotee later succumbed to injuries. However, there has been no official confirmation of the reported death.

Hundreds Seek Medical Assistance

According to local sources, nearly 200 devotees have been admitted to hospitals and temporary medical camps in Puri with complaints of suffocation and injuries.

The large influx of pilgrims, coupled with continuous rainfall, reportedly added to the congestion along the procession route.

Lakhs Gather for Rath Yatra

Lakhs of devotees assembled in Puri for the world-famous Rath Yatra, which began with the Pahandi Bije ritual earlier in the day.

During the ceremony, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were ceremonially escorted from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple to their respective chariots amid Vedic chants, traditional music and Odissi performances.

Although the ritual began ahead of schedule, its completion was delayed by more than two hours.

Official Confirmation Awaited

Authorities are yet to issue an official statement confirming the reported fatality or clarifying the circumstances that led to the stampede-like situation. An official update is awaited.