Puri: A wave of panic hit the world-famous Puri Rath Yatra on Thursday after an overwhelming surge of devotees triggered a stampede-like situation near the Marichikote area on the Grand Road (Bada Danda). The massive influx of pilgrims gathered to witness the annual chariot festival of Lord Jagannath and his siblings caused severe congestion along the primary procession route, causing movements to come to a sudden halt at multiple key junctions. According to medical and administrative updates, the crushing crowd dynamics and high humidity left more than 120 devotees suffering from acute suffocation and severe breathing difficulties.
Tragically, one devotee passed away due to severe suffocation suffered during the intense crush. Emergency personnel from the Special Rescue Unit (SRU) and stationed medical teams quickly intervened to manage the unfolding crisis. Volunteers and first responders administered immediate medical aid at temporary healthcare tents pitched along the thoroughfare, while over 120 individuals requiring specialized clinical attention were evacuated to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital for treatment.
Prior to the commencement of the grand rituals, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had reviewed the extensive security framework, which included the deployment of nearly 12,000 police personnel, AI-powered CCTV surveillance systems, and dedicated coastal patrol teams to ensure public safety. Following the incident, security officials immediately created auxiliary passageways to help ease pedestrian congestion and ensure the unhindered movement of arriving emergency vehicles. The local administration has since intensified crowd management measures and strongly urged pilgrims to follow active police advisories to prevent further overcrowding along the Bada Danda.
