Over 500 Injured in Stampede-Like Crush at Puri Rath Yatra; Several Critical
The world-famous Rath Yatra in Puri was marred by tragedy on Friday as a massive stampede-like situation left more than 500 devotees injured, with at least eight reported to be in critical condition. The incident occurred when a huge surge of devotees rushed forward in an attempt to pull the sacred ropes of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot, leading to chaos and a dangerous crush.
The chaotic scene unfolded during the ceremonial pulling of the ‘Taladhwaja’ chariot, the first of the three magnificent chariots to begin its journey. As lakhs of devotees thronged the Grand Road, an overwhelming number of people surged towards the chariot simultaneously, causing many to lose their footing and get trampled in the ensuing crush.
Emergency services rushed to the scene to rescue the injured. While most of the victims sustained minor injuries and were given first aid at temporary medical camps, many were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Officials have stated that at least eight of the hospitalized devotees are in critical condition, raising fears that the toll could rise.
The annual Rath Yatra is one of the world’s largest religious congregations, marking the journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, located about 2.5 kilometers away. The act of pulling the chariots’ ropes is considered a highly auspicious act, which draws immense crowds eager to participate.
Authorities had put extensive security measures in place to manage the massive influx of people into the coastal pilgrim town. Nearly 10,000 security personnel, including eight companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), were deployed to prevent any untoward incidents. However, the sheer volume and devotional fervour of the crowd appears to have overwhelmed the arrangements at a critical moment.
Official statements on the exact number of casualties and the specific failures that led to the incident are awaited as rescue and treatment operations continue to be the primary focus for the local administration.
