New Delhi | June 29, 2025 | Puri Rath Yatra Stampede: horrific Puri Rath Yatra stampede disrupted the sacred festival on June 29, 2025, near Shree Gundicha Temple. Three devotees died, while over 50 suffered injuries in the pre-dawn chaos. The tragedy occurred between 4:00-5:00 AM when a sudden crowd surge triggered panic.
Victims Basanti Sahu, Premakant Mohanty, and Pravati Das from Khurda district were crushed in the frenzy. Emergency teams rushed the injured to Puri District Hospital, with six critical cases transferred to SCB Medical College, Cuttack.
Puri Rath Yatra Stampede: Crowd Control Lapses
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi called the incident “unpardonable” and ordered a probe. Eyewitnesses reported: Inadequate police presence during peak hours, VIP routes confusing devotees and blocking exits, and Ritual material trucks entering packed zones.
The state suspended two police officers and transferred Puri’s Collector/SP. ₹25 lakh compensation was announced for each victim’s family.
Puri Rath Yatra Stampede Injures Over 500 Devotees; 300+ Hospitalised and Eight in Critical Condition, Odisha Govt Orders Probe#odisha #JagannathRathYatra2025 #JagannathRathYatra #Jagannath #stempede #news #viralvideo pic.twitter.com/hyhOlmFayV
— Azhar Akhtar Ansari (@AzharAkhtar2022) June 28, 2025
Crowd Management and Safety Measures
Opposition leader Naveen Patnaik slammed the “abysmal failure” in crowd management. This tragedy follows 750 heat exhaustion cases reported just a day earlier.
Authorities now face pressure to:
Redesign visitor flow for the remaining festival days
Deploy additional medical teams along the Grand Road
Implement real-time crowd monitoring tech
I am deeply pained by the stampede during the Mahaprabhu Jagannath Rath Yatra near the Gundicha Temple in Puri. This tragic incident claimed three lives and injured at least 50 devotees, following earlier reports of 500 injuries during the festival.
My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured devotees. Such negligence and mismanagement are utterly inexcusable.
I am deeply pained by the stampede during the Mahaprabhu Jagannath Rath Yatra, which claimed three lives and injured at least 50 people. This tragedy follows reports of 500 devotees being injured on Friday during the yatra.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the…
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) June 29, 2025
The State Government and authorities must carry out a thorough probe into the serious lapses that led to this tragedy. It is crucial to ensure public safety and efficient crowd management at all pre-planned gatherings. Those found responsible must be held accountable under the law.
The Congress Party stands firmly with the devotees. We pledge our support for all relief and medical aid efforts directed toward the affected families.
Latest Updates (July 2025):
Temple servitors demand permanent crowd control solutions
NDMA recommends AI-based density tracking for future festivals
Revised chariot routes being tested for Bahuda Yatra return journey
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