Puri Rath Yatra: Odisha govt confirms two deaths, says no stampede occurred

The Odisha government has confirmed the deaths of two devotees during the annual Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri but denied reports that the fatalities were caused by a stampede.

Lakhs of devotees gathered along Puri's Grand Road (Bada Danda) on Thursday despite heavy rain to witness the chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.

Government rules out stampede

Confusion briefly broke out near Marichikote Chowk during the procession, prompting reports of a possible stampede.

However, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said there was no stampede or major crowd management failure.

Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling confirmed that two people died but said the deaths were caused by medical emergencies rather than crowd crushing.

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According to officials, one devotee aged over 60 died after experiencing severe suffocation, while another devotee, identified as 35-year-old Anil Dash, suffered a cardiac arrest despite receiving immediate medical attention.

Authorities said more than 100 devotees were treated for exhaustion, dehydration, breathing difficulties and minor injuries during the event.

Human chain created to help ambulances

State authorities said police personnel, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteers and security officials formed a human chain whenever medical emergencies were reported to create a clear passage for ambulances.

The temporary corridor allowed emergency teams to reach distressed devotees and transport them quickly to Puri District Headquarters Hospital.

Officials said the measure helped rescue several people experiencing breathing difficulties amid the dense crowd.

Opposition questions crowd management

The incident has triggered a political row, with Leader of Opposition and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressing grief over the deaths and calling for a review of crowd management arrangements.

Patnaik urged the government to strengthen safety measures for the remainder of the festival.

The state government, however, maintained that the two deaths were not linked to a stampede and said the Rath Yatra continued under enhanced security arrangements after a brief pause caused by heavy rain and the medical emergencies.