A stampede during the revered Rath Yatra in Puri claimed three lives and left several others injured early Sunday morning, as thousands gathered near the Gundicha Temple for a glimpse of the deities. The incident occurred as the grand chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra approached the temple, located around three kilometres from the Jagannath Temple, where the annual Yatra traditionally begins.
The mishap took place at around 4:30 am, when the chariots had just reached the Gundicha Temple. Devotees thronged the area in massive numbers to witness the sacred event. Amid the growing rush, a few individuals fell to the ground, triggering a panic-fueled stampede.
STORY | 3 killed, 50 injured in stampede near Shree Gundicha Temple in Odisha’s Puri
READ: https://t.co/DBbESsCYtQ
VIDEO | Visuals from Puri district hospital where injured are being admitted. pic.twitter.com/0b9TLnBZUB
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Three From Khurda Lose Lives In Puri Stampede
Three devotees, 70-year-old Premakant Mohanty, Prabhati Das, and Basanti Sahu, lost their lives on the spot. All three victims hailed from Khurda district and had come to Puri to participate in the religious celebration. Reports suggest several others were injured in the chaos, with some in critical condition.
Local media pointed to shortcomings in crowd management by the police, raising concerns over the adequacy of the arrangements made for such a high-turnout event.
Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain stated that autopsies are underway to determine the precise cause of death. He maintained that crowd control measures were in place, but a sudden surge in numbers led to the unfortunate incident.
Meanwhile, political tensions have flared over alleged mismanagement. Former Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik called it a “terrible mess.” “All we can do is pray. May Mahaprabhu Jagannath forgive all those responsible for the terrible mess that has overshadowed this divine festival this year,” he said.
