Puri Jagannath Yatra Tragedy: Stampede Claims 3 Lives, Over 50 Injured During Devotional Rush

Updated: 29-06-2025, 01.24 PM

Puri, June 28, 2025 — A tragic incident marred the grand Jagannath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri on Saturday morning, as a stampede near the Jagannath Temple claimed the lives of three devotees and injured over 50 others. The unfortunate episode occurred around 4 a.m. amid heavy crowds gathered to witness the sacred Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival), one of the most significant religious events in the country.

Jagannath Yatra

How the Stampede Unfolded

According to local authorities, chaos erupted when a surge in the crowd led to a stampede during darshan (viewing) of Lord Jagannath, who, along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, is ceremonially taken on a chariot procession. The situation worsened as devotees fell and were trampled underfoot in the rush.

Puri District Collector Siddharth S. Swain confirmed the incident occurred in the early hours when hundreds of pilgrims had already assembled near the temple. He stated that emergency response teams immediately shifted the injured to nearby hospitals, where at least six remain in critical condition.

Deceased Identified

The deceased have been identified as:

Basanti Sahu from Bolagarh
Premkant Mohanty from Balipatna
Pravati Das from Balipatna

Their bodies have been sent to the Puri Medical College for postmortem, and authorities have launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Allegations of Inadequate Crowd Control

Eyewitness accounts and preliminary media reports suggest that insufficient police deployment at the location of the stampede may have contributed to the disaster. A section of the crowd reportedly lost control as two trucks carrying ritual materials passed close to the deities’ chariots, leading to sudden panic and pushing among devotees.

Massive Turnout Overwhelms Management

The Rath Yatra attracts lakhs of pilgrims from across India and the world. This year’s turnout, officials say, exceeded expectations, and the narrow streets near the temple premises were packed beyond capacity.

Authorities are reviewing security protocols, and a high-level committee is expected to be formed to investigate the lapse and recommend safety improvements for future events.

What’s Next?

Emergency measures have been deployed across Puri, and the Rath Yatra continues under tighter scrutiny. Police forces have been reinforced at key areas to ensure no further incidents take place.

The Odisha government has expressed grief over the loss of lives and is likely to announce compensation packages for the deceased and the injured.

This tragic episode serves as a grim reminder of the critical importance of crowd management and emergency preparedness at large-scale religious gatherings.

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Kuldeep Singh Chundawat: My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.