Stampede at Puri Rath Yatra Leaves 3 Dead, over 50 Injured; CM Orders Probe into Security Lapses

29 June, 2025:

During the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra, a tragic stampede near the Sri Gundicha Temple in Puri, Odisha, left at least three people dead and over fifty injured. The incident happened early on Sunday morning, between 4 and 4:30 am, when a large group of people had assembled for darshan as part of the religious celebrations. 

Hundreds of devotees gathered near the Shree Gundicha Temple, causing a stampede-like situation, according to Puri District Collector Siddharth S. Swain. Panic and chaos resulted from an unexpected surge in the crowd.

A vehicle carrying ritual materials reportedly entered the crowd, causing a rush, which led to the stampede at Saradhabali. According to witnesses, there were not enough police officers or other officials on the ground to manage the swarming crowd. Local hospitals' medical staff have been working nonstop. Many of the injured were treated with first aid and sent home, but a number of others are still in the hospital with severe injuries. Women were among the dead, but authorities say the victims' identities are still being sought.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described the incident as a major planning failure and expressed his sadness and frustration. "This carelessness cannot be forgiven. The CM wrote on X, "I have ordered that the necessary actions be taken to initiate exemplary action against those responsible, and an immediate investigation into the security lapses will be conducted." 

For the families of the deceased, the state government has announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh. After briefing the Chief Minister, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan promised strict action. "Those responsible will face severe consequences," he declared.

Additionally, former chief minister Naveen Patnaik posted on X, saying, "I pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannatha for the quick recovery of the devotees injured in this devastating incident and I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the three devotees who have lost their lives in the tragic stampede at Saradhabali, Puri." 

More than 700 devotees have been admitted to hospitals since the tragedy, with many of them experiencing nausea and suffocation. Halfway between the Jagannath Temple and the Gundicha Temple, the crowd was too large to pull even one of the three sacred chariots. 

Minister Harichandan has confirmed that a thorough investigation will be started to determine what went wrong and guarantee accountability, and senior police officials have since visited the scene.