One dead, around 100 devotees injured in stampede-like situation at Rath Yatra in Puri

The incident occurred on Bada Danda (Grand Road), where lakhs of devotees had assembled to witness the ceremonial pulling of the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra during one of India's largest annual religious festivals.

One dead, dozens hospitalised

According to preliminary information, a devotee developed severe breathing difficulties amid the dense crowd and was rushed to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors declared the person dead.

Officials said around 100 devotees either sustained injuries or suffered health-related complications during the incident. Nearly 50 people were admitted to hospitals for treatment.

Television visuals from the site showed emergency personnel and volunteers shifting injured devotees to hospitals, while slippers, bags and other personal belongings lay scattered across the road following the chaos.

Authorities assess cause of incident

Officials said the exact cause of the stampede-like situation has not yet been established.

Authorities have begun assessing the circumstances surrounding the incident, and further details are awaited as the investigation continues.

Naveen Patnaik expresses grief

Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed sorrow over the loss of life and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.

In a post on X, Patnaik said, "I am deeply saddened by the news of the loss of lives among devotees in the stampede at Badadanda during Rath Yatra. I pray for the eternal peace of the souls of the devotees who have lost their lives and for the swift recovery of the more than a hundred injured devotees."

"In this hour of grief, all workers of the Biju Janata Dal will extend their full cooperation to provide assistance to everyone. I hope that the state government will ensure the convenience and safety of the devotees by properly managing the crowds," he added.

One of India's largest religious gatherings

The Jagannath Rath Yatra attracts lakhs of pilgrims from across India and abroad every year, making it one of the country's largest religious congregations.

The latest incident comes a year after a similar stampede during the Puri Rath Yatra, which was attributed to a combination of crowd management failures, infrastructure shortcomings and logistical disruptions.

That incident claimed three lives and injured more than 50 devotees.