At least three people have been killed and several others injured after a stampede broke out during Jagannath Rath Yatra. The incident took place at Saradhabali, near the Gundicha Temple in Puri, on early Sunday morning. The deceased have been identified as Prabhati Das, Basanti Sahu, and Premakanta Mohanty. It is reported that around 4:20 am, a huge crowd of devotees had gathered for darshan of the holy trinity, when the tragic incident occurred. Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his condolences to the families of victims and ordered immediate investigation into the security lapses.
He wrote on X, “”Personally, my government and I seek forgiveness from all Jagannath devotees. We express our condolences…This negligence is unforgivable. An immediate investigation into the security lapses will be conducted, and I have directed that necessary steps be taken to initiate exemplary action against those responsible.”
Puri stampede: Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi tweets, "Personally, my government and I seek forgiveness from all Jagannath devotees. We express our condolences…This negligence is unforgivable. An immediate investigation into the security lapses will be conducted, and I have… pic.twitter.com/HXBHUOYuOO
— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2025
Odisha TV in its report, cited eyewitnesses who have alleged that the situation turned chaotic when two trucks carrying ‘charamala’ entered the tightly packed area, leading to panic and a sudden rush among the devotees.
Former CM Naveen Patnaik Extends Condolences
Odisha LoP and former CM Naveen Patnaik extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of devotees and prayed for recovery of the injured.
He wrote on X, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the three devotees who have lost their lives in the tragic stampede at Saradhabali, Puri and I pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannatha for the swift recovery of the devotees injured in this devastating incident. Today’s stampede, occurring just a day after the abysmal failure of crowd management during the Rath Yatra that left hundreds injured, exposes the government’s glaring incompetence in ensuring a peaceful festival for devotees.”
Puri Stampede | Odisha LoP and former CM Naveen Patnaik tweets, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the three devotees who have lost their lives in the tragic stampede at Saradhabali, Puri and I pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannatha for the swift recovery of the… pic.twitter.com/9uTe3839pV
— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2025
Man Recounts Tragic Stampede
A man who lost his wife in the stampede, recounted the incident, calling it pathetic. He said that there was no response from the authorities after the incident, highlighting sheer negligence.
He told ANI, “When this incident happened, no one responded, neither the fire officials, nor the rescue team, nor the hospital team. This is a pathetic incident that cannot be expressed…”
Puri, Odisha: A man who lost his wife in the stampede says, "When this incident happened, no one responded, neither the fire officials, nor the rescue team, nor the hospital team. This is a pathetic incident that cannot be expressed…" https://t.co/jFE36gLDfu pic.twitter.com/jDnfPfE7zR
— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2025
#WATCH | Odisha: A stampede has been reported during the Rath Yatra in Puri. Further details are awaited.
(Visuals from outside the post-mortem centre in Puri) pic.twitter.com/4mOTnE6QTe
— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2025
Congress leader Pawan Khera took to X and expressed distress over the Puri Stampede. He wrote, “The news of several deaths and injuries in a stampede during the Jagannath Rath Yatra is distressing. Praying for the safety of devotees.”
The news of several deaths and injuries in a stampede during the Jagannath Rath Yatra is distressing.
Praying for the safety of devotees. https://t.co/qwsvRbLxH6— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) June 29, 2025
As further details on the incident are awaited, situation appears normal in Puri now with devotees taking part in the Rath Yatra for the third day. Earlier visuals from the site showed large number of devotees gathered to witness Lord Jagannath’s grand procession. The grand Chariot festival had begun on Friday, June 27.
A devotee in conversation with ANI, expressed his happiness on being able to participate in the Rath yatra. He said, “It feels good to have darshan here. This is the only temple where God himself comes out to give darshan. Whether you are a Hindu or a Muslim, anyone who cannot go inside and love God can have darshan here.”
Earlier on Saturday, Health officials had reported serious crowd-related health issues. Around 750 devotees were taken to hospital due to exhaustion and pressure from the crowd.
