One dead, around 100 injured in stampede at Rath Yatra in Puri

One person was dead and around 100 devotees were injured after a stampede-like situation broke out during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha's Puri on Thursday.

The incident occurred on Bada Danda (Grand Road), where lakhs of devotees had gathered amid light rain to witness the pulling of the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.

According to preliminary reports, a devotee who suffered severe breathing difficulties amid the heavy crowd was rushed to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors



declared the person dead.

Officials said around 100 devotees sustained injuries or experienced health complications during the incident, with nearly 50 people admitted to hospitals for treatment.

Visuals from the scene showed injured devotees being rushed to hospitals, while slippers, bags and other belongings lay scattered across the area amid scenes of chaos and panic.

The exact cause of the stampede has not yet been officially established. Authorities are assessing the situation and further details are awaited.