One Dead, Over 30 Injured in Crowd Crush During Puri Rath Yatra
Puri, Odisha — At least one person has died and more than 30 others have been hospitalised after a crowd crush occurred during the Jagannath Rath Yatra on the Grand Road in Puri on Thursday, according to hospital sources.
The deceased, a 45-year-old devotee, reportedly lost consciousness due to the heavy rush. He was taken to the district headquarters hospital where he was declared dead. Officials have not yet officially confirmed the number of casualties.
Hospital sources said that most of the injured are in stable condition. “Additional healthcare personnel were deployed to take care of sick devotees. Senior officials are monitoring the situation,” an official said.
The Rath Yatra, an annual Hindu festival, draws millions of devotees from across the country. Authorities had made arrangements for crowd management, but the large turnout led to congestion on the Grand Road. The cause of the crush is under investigation.
