A tragic accident occurred during the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri, Odisha. Around 4:30 AM on Sunday, a large number of devotees had gathered in front of the Shree Gundicha Temple for a glimpse of the Lord, and amid the heavy crowd, chaos ensued, resulting in a stampede. Three people lost their lives, and reports suggest more than 50 were injured.
The injured were swiftly taken to Puri District Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment. This unfortunate event unfolded in front of Shree Gundicha Temple near Shardhabali, amidst a massive gathering of worshippers waiting to see Lord Jagannath on the chariot.
Crushed in the Crowd, Three Lose Lives
The overwhelming crowd made it difficult to control, leading to a scuffle, as some individuals fell, causing a chaotic stampede. Three people were tragically crushed, dying at the scene. All deceased were reportedly from Khurda district, including two women, Prabhati Das and Basanti Sahu, and a 70-year-old Premakant Mahanti.
Severe Conditions Among Victims
In such large religious gatherings attracting millions, questions about crowd control and safety preparedness have arisen. The wounded were swiftly transported to the district hospital by 108 ambulances. A team of doctors is persistently working, with some injuries reported as severe.
Millions Join the Rath Yatra Annually
The Puri Rath Yatra is among the country's largest religious festivals. Each year, millions convene in Puri to witness Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. During the yatra, the deity is brought from the Shri Mandir to the Shree Gundicha Temple, where they rest briefly, amidst which this tragic incident occurred.
