Odisha, July 17: Two devotees lost their lives and five others were hospitalised after a massive crowd during the annual Rath Yatra in Puri led to a suffocation-related emergency on Thursday, officials said.
According to the Odisha Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the incident occurred as lakhs of devotees gathered to witness the chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.
Heavy congestion along the procession route caused several pilgrims to experience breathing difficulties and collapse.
Officials said seven devotees were initially taken to nearby hospitals after they fell unconscious.
Doctors later confirmed that one devotee died due to suffocation, while another, a 35-year-old man, succumbed to a heart attack despite receiving medical attention.
The remaining five devotees are undergoing treatment at different hospitals and are reported to be in stable condition.
Despite continuous monsoon rain, an estimated eight to nine lakh devotees from across India and abroad participated in the festival, reflecting the strong religious significance of the annual event.
Director General of Fire Services Umashankar Das said emergency response teams promptly rescued affected devotees and shifted them to hospitals.
Authorities had deployed more than 12,000 security personnel, along with disaster response teams, medical staff and an anti-drone unit, to manage the large gathering and ensure public safety.
The Odisha government said devotees who could not enter the Jagannath Temple due to heavy crowding would be allowed to offer prayers on Friday.
After the completion of the day’s rituals, the chariots remained stationed near the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate) of the temple.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over crowd management and emergency preparedness during one of India’s largest religious festivals, prompting calls for stronger safety measures at future events.
