Key facts
- At least one person died and approximately 100 devotees were injured in a crush during the Jagannath Rath Yatra festival in Puri, India.
- The incident occurred on Thursday amid a large gathering of devotees for the annual religious event.
- One devotee reportedly died from suffocation or breathing difficulties.
- Many injured devotees were taken to hospitals, with some in critical condition.
- A similar stampede last year resulted in three deaths and over 50 injuries.
At least one person died and approximately 100 devotees were injured in a crush during the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra festival in Puri, India, on Thursday. The incident occurred amid a massive gathering of devotees on Bada Danda (Grand Road) for the religious procession.
Preliminary reports suggest the death was due to suffocation or breathing difficulties after a devotee was rushed to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital. Around 100 devotees sustained injuries or health complications, with nearly 50 admitted to hospitals for treatment. Visuals from the scene depicted chaos and panic, with scattered belongings across the road.
Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his condolences and urged the state government to ensure the safety and convenience of devotees through proper crowd management. This incident follows a similar stampede last year during the Puri Rath Yatra, which resulted in three deaths and over 50 injuries, attributed to crowd mismanagement and logistical issues.