Puri Rath Yatra tragedy: Stampede near Gundicha Temple leaves 3 dead, 50 injured

A stampede during the Rath Yatra festival near Shree Gundicha Temple in Odisha’s Puri early Sunday morning (June 30) claimed the lives of at least three people, including two women, and left around 50 others injured, officials said.

The incident happened at around 4 am when hundreds of devotees gathered near the temple to witness the rituals. According to Puri District Collector Siddharth S Swain, the condition of six injured people is very serious. A hospital official said that six of them are still unconscious.

How did the stampede happen?

Officials said the chaos began after two trucks carrying ritual materials entered the crowded area near the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings. Devotees had assembled there since early morning to witness the ‘Pahuda’ ceremony, where the cloth covering the faces of the deities is removed.


The deceased were identified as:

• Basanti Sahu (36) from Bolagarh
• Premakant Mohanty (80) from Balipatna
• Pravati Das (42) from Balipatna

CM Majhi apologises, orders probe

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi posted on X (formerly Twitter), expressing deep regret over the incident. “I and my government seek forgiveness from all Jagannath devotees. We pray for strength to the grieving families,” he wrote.

He called the stampede a result of “unforgivable negligence” and confirmed that a probe will be conducted. Strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty, he added.

Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said the situation at the temple is now under control, and DGP Y B Khurania is heading the investigation.

Opposition slams the government

Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik criticised the government, saying the stampede “exposes its failure to ensure a safe Rath Yatra.” He offered condolences to the victims’ families and wished a quick recovery to the injured.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also blamed the incident on “negligence and mismanagement,” and said the tragedy was inexcusable.

Witnesses speak

One man who lost his wife in the stampede said there were no police around at the time. “People fell while trying to get a glimpse of the gods. Ambulances were too far, nearly one kilometre away,” he said.

Health officials said one of the critical patients was moved to SCB Medical College in Cuttack, while five others remain in ICU.

The Rath Yatra began on Saturday, with the chariots reaching the Gundicha Temple, considered the deities’ aunt’s house. The return journey, or Bahuda Yatra, is scheduled for July 5.

Inputs from PTI