Puri (Odisha), June 29, 2025 – Tragedy struck early Sunday morning during the annual Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri, as a stampede near the Gundicha Temple claimed the lives of at least three devotees and left more than 50 others injured.
According to officials, the incident occurred between 4:00 and 4:30 AM near the Shree Gundicha Temple when a massive crowd of devotees surged forward for an early morning darshan. The situation spiraled out of control when two service vehicles reportedly tried to pass through the already congested Saradhabali area, triggering panic and chaos in the densely packed crowd.
Victims Identified
Puri District Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain confirmed the identities of the deceased as Basanti Sahu, Prabhati Das, and Premakanta Mohanty—all residents of nearby districts. Six individuals have been reported in critical condition and are currently receiving intensive care at Puri District Hospital and SCB Medical College, Cuttack.
Emergency Response & Government Action
Emergency personnel responded swiftly, transporting the injured to medical facilities and clearing the area to prevent further casualties. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his condolences and announced an ex-gratia of ₹4 lakh to the families of the deceased. The Chief Minister has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.
“The administration will ensure strict action if any lapses are found,” Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan stated during a press briefing. He also defended the continuation of the yatra, stating that necessary measures were being taken to restore safety.
Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik criticized the current administration, alleging a “complete failure of crowd management.” “There was no proper government machinery at the spot to control the surging crowd,” he said.
Eyewitnesses also reported a delayed medical response and inadequate control measures, despite the massive footfall anticipated for the Rath Yatra, one of India’s largest religious gatherings.
Over 1 million pilgrims attended the yatra on Friday, with another 500,000 gathering on Saturday night, overwhelming the city’s resources. Experts have once again called for modern crowd-control strategies, including real-time surveillance and better infrastructure, to manage such large-scale events.
The Jagannath Rath Yatra, celebrated annually in Puri, involves pulling the grand chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. The event draws lakhs of pilgrims from across India and abroad.
