Rath Yatra Tragedy: Stampede Claims Lives in Puri, Odisha

The annual Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri was marred by a stampede that claimed the lives of at least three individuals and left several others injured. The incident unfolded at Saradhabali, near the Gundicha Temple, during the early hours of Sunday morning when a large number of devotees congregated. Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan stated that the deaths were caused by suffocation within the dense crowd. The government is investigating the circumstances of the stampede, with the DGP on-site. Despite the tragedy, the Rath Yatra continues, with devotees participating in the procession. Prior to the stampede, health officials had addressed the needs of approximately 750 devotees who experienced health issues related to the crowd.