Puri Rath Yatra Stampede: 3 Devotees Dead, 50 Injured; CM Mohan Charan Majhi Expresses Grief and Apologizes
Puri (Odisha) : A tragic stampede occurred early Sunday morning during the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri, leading to the death of three devotees and injuring over 50 others. The incident took place around 4 to 4:30 AM near Shri Gundicha Temple, as a massive crowd of pilgrims gathered for the sacred darshan (viewing) of the deity.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow a few hours after the incident and issued a public apology, stating that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the tragedy.
CM Expresses Grief
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), CM Majhi wrote:
“There was immense enthusiasm among the devotees to catch a glimpse of Lord Jagannath. I, along with my government, am deeply pained by this incident. I sincerely apologize to all devotees. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.”
He added: “I pray to the Almighty to give strength to everyone in this difficult time. A thorough investigation will be conducted into the security lapse, and appropriate action will be taken against those found responsible.”
Orders Immediate Probe into Security Lapse
The Chief Minister instructed authorities to initiate an immediate investigation into the incident and warned that no negligence would be tolerated. He emphasized that devotee safety is paramount, and necessary steps would be taken to improve administrative preparedness going forward.
Massive Crowd and Overwhelming Pressure
During the Rath Yatra, the grand chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra are pulled through the streets of Puri by lakhs of devotees. This year, an estimated 10 to 12 lakh pilgrims attended the event. A day before, Odisha ADG (Law & Order) Sanjay Kumar had anticipated such large gatherings.
Despite elaborate security arrangements, the pressure of the early-morning crowd led to a breakdown in control, resulting in the tragic stampede.
Injured Receiving Medical Attention
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, with several reportedly in critical condition. Relief and rescue operations were launched swiftly by local authorities.
Opposition Questions Government Readiness
Following the incident, opposition parties have questioned the state government’s preparedness and demanded swift punishment for those responsible. They also urged the government to provide adequate compensation to the families of the deceased and ensure the best medical care for the injured.