Stampede Scare at Puri Rath Yatra, 120 Devotees Hospitalised

A stampede-like situation was reported on the Grand Road (Bada Danda) in Odisha's Puri during the Rath Yatra on Tuesday after a massive surge of devotees gathered to witness the annual chariot festival, officials said.

The heavy rush led to congestion along the procession route, triggering panic among devotees as movement came to a halt at several points on the Grand Road. According to officials, more than 120 devotees experienced breathing difficulties due to overcrowding and suffocation. Medical teams stationed along the route



immediately rushed to assist those affected.

The devotees were administered first aid at temporary medical camps, while those requiring additional treatment were shifted to nearby hospitals. Officials said most of the affected persons were reported to be in stable condition. 

Security personnel, volunteers and emergency response teams were deployed to regulate the crowd and ease congestion after the incident. Authorities also created additional passageways to facilitate the movement of devotees and emergency vehicles.