A stampede near the Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri, Odisha, early on Sunday (29 June) left three people dead, including two women. Around 50 others sustained injuries, local officials said.
The stampede happened at around 4am during the Rath Yatra (chariot festival). Large crowds had gathered to witness the religious event. Puri district collector Siddharth S Swain confirmed the details.
Medical staff treated the injured at a nearby hospital. Six people remain unconscious and are in critical condition.
Trucks entering the crowd sparked panic
Authorities said the chaos began when two trucks entered a densely packed area near the temple chariots. The vehicles were carrying items for religious rituals.
Many devotees had arrived early to see the deities when priests removed the ‘Pahuda’ cloth from their faces.
The victims were identified as Basanti Sahu (36) from Bolagarh, Premakant Mohanty (80), and Pravati Das (42) from Balipatna.
Government issues apology and orders investigation
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi apologised to devotees in a statement on the social media platform X. He also expressed his condolences.
“An unfortunate incident occurred due to the strong desire of devotees to see Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath). I and my government offer our apologies and deepest sympathies to the families,” he said.
Mr Majhi promised a full investigation. He said officials would take strict action against anyone responsible for security failures.
“This negligence is unacceptable. I’ve ordered an inquiry and asked for immediate action,” he added.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said the Director General of Police, Y B Khurania, is leading the investigation. He confirmed that the situation at the temple has now returned to normal.
Opposition criticises crowd management
The Chief Minister held an emergency meeting to review safety protocols and response measures.
Opposition leader Naveen Patnaik of the Biju Janata Dal criticised the state government. “This tragedy shows a serious failure in managing the event. I send my condolences to the families,” he said on X.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also blamed the administration. “Poor planning and lack of safety caused this stampede. It’s deeply upsetting,” he posted.
Doctors transferred one critically injured person to SCB Medical College in Cuttack. Five others remain in intensive care.
A man who lost his wife said many people fell while rushing to view the deities. “There were no police officers nearby. The ambulance was a kilometre away, so we had to carry the injured ourselves,” he told reporters.
The chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra had reached the Gundicha Temple the day before, on Saturday (28 June). The temple is seen as the symbolic ‘aunt’s house’ of the deities. The chariots began their 2.6 km journey from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple earlier that morning.
The return journey, known as Bahuda Yatra, is set for 5 July.
