33 Devotees Rescued After Crowd Surge at Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra
On Thursday, July 16, 2026, multiple devotees were evacuated by emergency rescue teams on stretchers as a heavy surge of pilgrims gathered at the Singhadwara of the Puri Jagannath Temple during the annual Rath Yatra.
The Special Rescue Unit (SRU) of the Odisha Fire & Emergency Services, in coordination with Odisha Police, safely rescued 33 devotees from heavy crowd congestion, according to an official post on X by Odisha Police.
The rescued individuals were immediately provided with first aid and oxygen support before being shifted to nearby hospitals for further medical care. Visuals from Puri district headquarters hospital showed several devotees receiving treatment.
The incident highlights the challenges of managing large crowds during major religious events. Authorities had made arrangements for crowd control and medical emergencies, but the sudden surge overwhelmed the system briefly.
The Rath Yatra, one of the most famous Hindu festivals, attracts millions of devotees from across India and the world. The Odisha government had deployed additional personnel and medical teams to ensure safety, and the quick response by rescue teams prevented any casualties.
