Puri Rath Yatra: One Dead, Several Injured After Crowd Surge, Officials Say
One person died, and several others were injured after a crowd surge during the Rath Yatra celebrations in Puri, Odisha, on Thursday. The incident occurred amid heavy rain that had been lashing the seaside town since Tuesday.
According to officials, seven individuals felt uneasy during the proceedings and were promptly taken to a hospital. A 60-year-old man, whose identity has not been released, died while undergoing treatment. The exact cause of death is being determined, and authorities have not confirmed whether it was directly due to the crowd surge.
The Rath Yatra, an annual chariot festival, draws thousands of devotees to Puri. It is the only occasion when the deities Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balabhadra are taken out of the 12th-century Jagannath Temple. Despite the heavy rain, devotees were seen dancing on the Grand Road and celebrating the festival.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had reviewed the preparedness earlier in the day, emphasising the safety and convenience of devotees. With waterlogging emerging as a major challenge due to 233 mm of rainfall since Tuesday, he directed the Puri district administration, municipal authorities, and relevant departments to remain on high alert and ensure swift action to remove water.
A multi-layer security arrangement was in place for the festival. Nearly 13,000 police personnel, 19 IPS officers, and 15 companies of central armed police forces, including the CRPF, BSF, RAF, and NSG, were deployed at strategic points. Additionally, 473 AI-powered CCTV cameras integrated with drone-jamming systems monitored the Grand Road and adjoining areas through two command-and-control centres.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rainfall in Puri during the day. Officials continue to monitor the situation and have assured that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of devotees. Further details are awaited as the investigation into the incident proceeds.
